The Society of Success and Leadership, Sigma Alpha Lambda, has come to campus hoping to create future CEOs and Fortune 500 Companies out of UCSB students.

The society, which is currently pending a name change to the National Society of Leadership and Success, has attracted nearly 900 members since its inception on Oct. 6. Anton Anderson, fourth-year communication major and president of the club, said the society provides students with a network of resources, personal success coaches and motivational speakers to enhance leadership skills and help its members achieve success in the post-collegiate world. He said students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher were invited to join the organization as presidential members, but said students with lower GPAs may still join as non-presidential members. All members must pay a $65 membership fee and must attend three live video broadcast events featuring motivational speakers throughout the year.

He said they must also go to three success networking team events where groups of five to eight students with common interests discuss their goals and work together to achieve them by the next meeting. The first networking team event will be held tonight at 8:30 p.m., following a live broadcast featuring Goldie Hawn. He said the final requirement is the completion of a leadership training session to be held this winter or spring quarter.

Anderson said he founded the UCSB chapter of the organization because he thinks students need help finding a solid direction in their career paths.

“The mission of our club is to help students live the lives they desire by supplying them with the necessary networks, mentoring and other resources,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to fill the gap between academics and the real world.”

The society, Anderson said, could also be useful for students with wide-ranging career aspirations.

“We hope to get a wide variety of students involved — anyone interested in doing more than required at school,” Anderson said. “From students with a goal to be in a rock ‘n’ roll band or a CEO, networks and mentors are available to get their foot in the door.”

Piper Grant, the society’s vice president, said she hopes the club will bring together a diverse body of students to form a support group, helping each other achieve their goals for the future.

“Our organization is unique in that it is not exclusive.” Grant said. “Everyone, no matter the major or GPA has the opportunity to join and participate so that we can achieve a form of campus integration.”

Britt Andreatta, director of first year programs and leadership education who has worked at UCSB for 15 years, said she does not usually advise groups on campus, but said she changed her mind after looking into the society. Andreatta said she conducted some research on the society’s programs and goals, and said she could not turn down the opportunities it presented.

“After researching the organization, I was amazed at how it directs services to students to help them grow and find success,” Andreatta said. “I think very highly of the student body on this campus, and I feel that a lot of them want to be leaders, but there are not always enough avenues to channel their intelligence and talent, which is why the society is so amazing.”

According to the website, the benefits of being a member include an exclusive online job bank, scholarships offered by the national chapter, access to the video library of past motivational speakers, access to a library featuring success and leadership oriented books, cassettes and CDs and online interaction with professional success coaches.

Grant said he hopes the society will open up additional avenues previously unexplored by students.

“I think our goals will have been achieved if one member can say that the society added something beneficial to their academic life or to their life in the workplace,” Grant said.