I need help
 

Hi! My sorority just had elections last night and I am going to be the new president next semester. I'm really nervous. Everyone has been really encouraging and telling me that they believe in me and that they know I'm going to do a good job. I really don't want to let them down.

My question is if there are any good resources for something like this, like books on leadership/motivating others or any threads on GC? I tried doing a search but I didn't find anything. Also, if anyone is or has been president of their organization, how did you prepare yourself for the position and if you would have any advice on how to be a good president?

Re: I need help
 

First off, see what your organization has on what is expected of chapter presidents, in terms of materials and training. Each is going to be a little different.

Second, be sure you have a copy of your Chapter's Bylaws and other rules (whatever you might call them) and your National orgs Bylaws and rules. These should tell you what is expected of the chapter president in terms of duties and the like. This avoids the "i didn't know I was supposed to do x" syndrome.

See if your org has a booklet or the like on what is expected of a chapter president. (mine does, on-line at our national site)

Get a copy of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, so you understand how to run a meeting. (it also has basic organizational info) If RONR is too much, ALSO get a copy of RONR In Brief.

See if you org has any training program for chapter officers. Next see if your school offers any kind of training/leadership development program for organizational officers.

As for other resources:

* learn how to run a meeting effecitively. Get Rober'ts Rules and other parlimentary resources for this. See if there is a local group of the National Association of Parliamentarians or the American Insititute of Parliamentarians who can help out.

* learn about teamwork. Many schools have team building and leadership programs. Take advantage of them.

* learn about leadership. Again, many schools and related groups are providing these.

* learn about planning & goal setting, both personal and organization. Lots of resources for that (see works by Steven Covey, et al)

As to good leadership books, there are a lot. But some may not be applicable to a small group (ie many are aimed at those in the corporate environment). Also look for books aimed at 'youth leadership', which may be harder to find.

Some good ones:

Leadership Challenge, 3rd ed
Leadership and the One Minute Manager
One Minute Manager Builds High Performing Teams
On Becoming a Leader
The Servant-Leader Within
just about anything by John C. Maxwell, Walter Bennis, Max DePree, Wess Roberts etc.

See if your school library has any of these. You can also browse the business section of local bookstores.

Hope this helps

Also a neat idea would be to try and set up some sort of insentive program to keep people motivated, especially towards the end of the semester because thats when people start to fall off usually. Also figure out who your hard working sisters are, find um, talk to them and get them on your side to help make sure things run smooth, because it always sucks to have someone in charge of something and them not do it and the blame come back to you. Also realize that in the long and short, there is going to be a reputation attached to your term as president, either as a good one or a bad one, so be prepared to pick up the ball if anyone drops it. good luck.

You also need to be prepared to encourage the chapter to do the RIGHT thing, which is not always the POPULAR thing.

And also be prepared to "listen" to everyone's input, but realize that in the end you can't go with everyone's ideas, figure out your basics that have to happen every spring and make sure all of that stuff is ready to rock and roll

I don't know how your elections work, but I know that for my chapter the main question posed of the president is "are they going to do what's best for the chapter?"

Keep that in the back of your mind as you go through your term and you aren't likely to be clueless as for what to do in a situation.

Also, in addition to reading your bylaws, constitution etc. RE-READ YOUR RITUALS!!! I believe that everything you could ever need to know on how to be a great member of your organization is in those documents.

As for your nerves: this position wasn't just something that fell into your lap. You've obviously earned this and people look up to you and the regard you hold for you organization as exemplerary. I never realized the respect for chapter presidents that all greeks have until a Greek Week speaker 2 years ago. The entire greek community was out, and the speaker asked for the chapter presidents to stand up. She thanked them, then asked the crowd how many of those seated wanted to become chapter presidents, a few random people stood up with a couple misplaced hollers. Then the Speaker asked who respected and appreciated what the chapter presidents did for their chapters. The entire community stood up immediately - this wasn't one of those standing O's where people were lagging deciding if they were going to take part, it was real, immediate and sincere. I'd like to think that a similar response would be found pretty much everywhere - so remember that when things get tough!

I was president of my fraternity and I would just say lead by example. People were much more willing to help out if they saw me doing the work that needed to be done rather than me just telling them to do something.

Good luck. While difficult I think you will find it a rewarding experience.

I think epsilon99 makes a great point...

Best of luck to you!