NSLS stands for National Society of Leadership and Success. It is also known as Sigma (Success) Alpha (Action) Pi (Purpose), and it is composed of a leadership honors society expanding to over 300 chapters across the United States. It is common practice for honor societies to establish themselves with Greek letters, and we use the symbols Sigma Alpha Pi, however, we are not a fraternity or sorority.

Built through participation on campus or online, the mission is designed to make an individual a better leader provided the materials and resources necessary to do so with scholarships, discounts, job opportunities in the national's job bank, links to past speakers, weekly motivational emails, and success coaching. NSLS strongly believes that if a person has the passion, they have the potential. This is what the organization specifically thrives on; harnessing that capability, and guiding students to channel it. While at first many think of this organization as just something to put on their resume it becomes much more. Today the society has over 525,000 members on nearly 500 college and university campuses nationwide; who is to say you cannot be the 525,001 person to add to it?

In order to join NSLS, one must be invited either through academic achievement, acquiring and maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher, or through nomination based on leadership prospective candidacy which is a nationally recognized- and equivalent- achievement of distinction. Students are often selected based on set criteria that each school sets individually. Once accepted request, one must follow a series of requirements before actually becoming inducted. These necessities consist of: orientation, leadership training day, three success networking team (SNT) meetings, and lastly three speaker broadcasts events to each I will explain further in depth.

1. Orientation

This is where one first gets his or her feet wet, and although it might seem overwhelming initially, if we were meant to stay in one place we would have roots instead of feet. Branching off of that idea, this is your opportunity to meet the environment you will be working with. These are the people who are here for the same reasons you are. Much like founder of the Society, Gary Tuerack, his vision was to create a community where like-minded, success-oriented individuals- you- could come together to learn from and support each other familiar with or not.

2. Leadership Training Day

In this three-hour duration a student participates through the use of an interactive video training session where they identify goals and overcome obstacles. With the incorporation of a printed out workbook an individual walks away with knowledge in the six foundations of leadership. It allows for communication among working with other society members, and enlightens one to realize their own possibilities in this field.

3. Success Networking Team (SNT)

Ideally the objectives behind these meetings are to establish separate goals within a team of people who come together in commitment to achieving them. Goals are SMART in terms of specificity, measurement, achievement, reward, and timely manner. Connections and feedback are provided by each individual in contributing to the group effort. It is a place of reference where one can choose to be as open or secluded as he so chooses, but it is nonetheless still a habitat that is consistent as it meets regularly and it is used as an escape outside from the people seen typical throughout one’s day. The discussions are held about once every two-three weeks and in a sense they hold each person accountable for the ambitions they set forth- giving a more immediate action and staying true to the target. In the first session roles are distributed to each of the members within the cluster: communications coordinator, logistics coordinator, 1+ activity coordinators, facilitator coordinator, time manager, and lastly the recorder. Following these talks leave a person to put these suggestions to test and take act.

4. Speaker Broadcasts

Each month we have seminars held by successful individuals, called "speaker broadcasts." In previous showings leaders such as Kevin Bracy, Rudy Giuliani, Hilary Duff, Ariana Huffington, Jim Cramer, Janice Bryant Howard, and Debbie Fields have been guests. During these events, the speaker directs their speech to the NSLS members and designs their outlines accordingly. They are inspirational and truly motivating to say the least as each presenter is distinct and has his or her own story to share yet keep humble in their belief that success is possible but is not given or handed over.

In reference to the NSLS website's mission statement: "Benjamin Franklin once said, 'Many people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75.' People don't go after their dreams because they don't believe they are possible. The vision of the Society was inspired by the passion of helping people wake up and believe in their own potential that they might not be seeing yet." This statement is an accurate depiction of just what our society brings out: the leader and inner drive in ourselves. It encourages more people not to feel limited to simply dreaming of their visions but making them a reality. All the events required for induction into NSLS help guide you towards attaining that very aim.

So you fulfilled the requirements for induction, now what? There is actually more to this practice depending on how involved you get or your desire to continue in the following step. All members are eligible to apply for the National Engaged Leadership Award (NELA) in just attending a few more events and completing at least five hours of community service. It is as easy that! After all, we are given two hands- one to help ourselves, and another to help others. However, it is not selfish to put your own oxygen mask on first. Take care of yourself and your needs, and then give back to others seeking support. There is also the option to interview for an executive board position, and serve to your own members if the community environment is not for you. Just remember, your time is not up once you are inducted. You are a member for life, which means you are a leader for life. This society is more than just a resume booster; this is a lifetime skill you can carry with you anywhere.