Colony elections!! Please help :)
 

Today was my bid day for the new chapter at my school and I already am looking forward to elections. I have no idea what goes on or anything I know one girl is running against me so far, my closest friend. I just want to know like the roles a president will have? What goals should I be looking to set for our sorority? What will help me in elections? How can I make goals for our sorority, so basically anything and everything that will help!! Please and thanks:)

Congratulations! Now, take a breath and relax a little, and take some time to get to know your new sisters. :) I would be surprised if elections are scheduled to be held before there is a period of new member education and getting to know each other. Do you have a consultant there to guide the new colony? If so, she will lead you, familiarize you with the sorority, and guide you through the elections process. Typically, there is some form of nominations process that results in a slating of candidates. There will be a need for many different leaders, and nominations generally are a process of matching positions with members' individual skill sets. Your sisters may see you as a potential president, or they may see another position as a great fit for you. "Campaigning" doesn't usually go over well, though, and can backfire -- take the time to get to know all of your new sisters and be a good sister to them.

This is a very different process from, say, high school student council elections. Generally, sisters don't decide to "run against each other for the same position" -- you are all working together for the good of the chapter and each other; it's not about self-promotion or internal competition.

Our elections are in November before thanksgiving break!! We do have a leadership consultant for a year to guide us. And yes I know we are all working together and i told her I would be happy no matter the outcome. I just want to make sure that the new chapter will get what it needs and not just someone who wants to be the face but to actually better the chapter as a whole and actually takes it as seriously as I would! I'm just so excited and yeah I heard about the whole slate thing, how does all of that go? This is just all so new to all 65 of us, lol we are a small chapter but my school is slowly getting bigger in greek life!! The other sororitys have 80-90 girls!! So exciting!

Why do you want to be president if you don't even know what the president's role is?

Yes. Your answer will go a long way in your quest for the office.

What do you think a sorority president's job should entail? Do you have friends in other sororities? Can you ask the presidents of those sororities what they do?

After you have an idea of what a president does, try to set some goals. When you go in for your interview, have a business plan-for yourself and the sorority, so you can show the consultants, alumnae, or national officers (whoever will interview the prospective officer candidates) that you have thought if through and have an idea of where you want the sorority headed and how to get it there.