[emb021]

You might want to check with the particular group on what their expectation/rules are for advisors.

In my fraternity, each chapter is required to have a minimum of 4 advisors- 2 faculty/staff, one scouting/youth services, one community. One is selected by the chapter to be their advisory chair (ie, head or lead advisor).

the faculty/staff advisor has to be someone who is a faculty member or a staff member.
the scouting/youth services advisor should be someone involved with a scouting organization (BSA, GSUSA, CampFire, etc) or a youth-serving organization.
the community advisor is a kind of 'catch all' position, who ideally is involved with other community organizations.

Advisors need not to have been prior members of the fraternity (it helps, but isn't required).

What do advisors do?

In general, they should assist and advise the chapter. Note, that is ADVISE. The chapter officers run the chapter. Advisor do not run the chapter, nor try to. They should come to enough meetings and events so that they get to know the chapter, know what is going on (good or bad), ensure the members get to know and trust them, and be able to serve as resource to the chapter. (the chapter members should be able to come to the advisors for advise, and if the advisors see problems, be able to point this out and help get it resolved).

Many times, advisors are a knowledge resource for the chapter. They usually know and understand university and the organization's policies, and be able to assist the chapter in meeting those policies.

How 'involved' an advisor is will depend on the state of the chapter. A well run group, the advisor can usually sit in the back and listen in, with the occasion comment (or not). A group that is having issues may need more active advisors to pitch in an assist the officers ensuring the chapter is running well.

Faculty/staff advisors many times represent the university and ensure the chapter is following university policies, and can help the chapter stay in compliance and in the good graces of the university.

Hope this helps.