[gpb1874]

I haven't advised in a few years, but I'll answer from when I was one:

How did you end up advising the chapter? The advisor before me wasn't very beneficial for the chapter and I volunteered. I had been on the adv board before that, but only for a year.

How much time do you devote to the chapter - including paperwork, meetings, etc. (Excluding recruitment). A couple hours a week. Exec meetings were about 90 min on average and chapter about the same, although I was there early and often stayed a little late to answer questions or talk to people. I also met with the president every week and sometimes it was for 10 minutes and sometimes an hour.

Do you attend weekly meetings? Yes, especially formal meetings. I didn't always attend informal meetings, depending on my schedule.

What day/time are the chapter's meetings? They were Sundays at 6:30 for chapter and Exec was usually Wed or Thur at night (like 7-9 or 9-11pm).

How would you describe your relationship with the collegiates? Friendly? Like a big sister? Like a mom? Like someone from Nationals? I was friendly with everyone, aunt like to many (got told the crazy stuff mom probably never heard about, but they wanted my advice and not just my acceptance) and had to act like HQ rep sometimes (when they broke rules or were being or wanted to do something really stupid)

What are the biggest challenges you have faced? The hard things, like terminating sisters or confronting them about their alcohol/drug/behavior problems. Never fun! I also joind through AI, so it I was still learning a lot about sorority operations while I was their advisor. It can also be challenging to keep them on the right track when they want to stray off it and violate policies or not get things done. Sometimes you have to convinve them that changing their mind about X is really their idea, when it's something you don't want them to do in the first place.

How much unreimbursed money do you spend on the chapter, traveling, etc.? How often do you have to travel outside of the chapter (regionals, HQ)? Not much. The chapter budget for at least some of my travel expenses to convention and regional conference (travel once a year and sometimes I couldn't attend due to work). I spent more on candy and other goodies for them over the years!

It was an amazing experience and I cherish the time I advised my chapter. I still keep in touch with some members and several make regular trips back to campus (i work on the campus), so I get to see them often. Several are now advisors themselves and it makes me real proud to see them giving back and then a couple mentioned how they felt I was a good advisor and they're not sure they can advise like me. Almost made me cry!