Looking for advice on being president

[annice22]

Hi I just got elected to be president of Panhellenic Council. I do not get installed until Dec. Does anyone have any advice for me about being President? I could sure use it. I'm just a little nervous.

Annice

FSS

[Kevin]

Be careful that what you do has the best interest of ALL organizations in mind, not just yours. That's the best advice I can give.

[moe.ron]

my best advice is to listen to those around you.

[2blue]

I agree that Pan. Pres is one position where you definitely have to be political.but just remember..if it isn't a NPC rule, it may not be allowed. Just scan the Rush thread and see the urban legands that weren't written down but definitely didn't improve the Greek closeness that we all want and need.

That being said, I know that one of the problems at our school was sororities "getting away" with breaking the rules b/c they had been doing them for years. Finally, the other sororities said enough-is-enough!!


Don't play favorites. Be open-minded.
Think out-side-the-box or in-the-box. (I know that sounds contractory, I wish I would find the articile that talks about sometimes thinking outside the box is wrong)


At our school, the Pan. Pres is on a sorority rotation so when it was our turn, we had to make sure that whomever got the Pan. Rep. position had been through rush on both sides before.

[annice22]

I wanted to know if anyone had any more advice for being a good president.

Annice

[honeychile]

1) You're not in the position to win any popularity contests. Be fair, even when it hurts.

2) Learn to delegate.

3) If you can, arrange a meeting with the past Panhel President & the Greek Advisor, and get their opinions. Only use what you feel is worthwhile.

4) Develop a mentor who will not be afraid to tell you when you're getting big-headed or full of crap. An honest mentor is worth her weight in gold!

5) Read the Green Book. Memorize the Green Book. Know it backwards, forwards, and in Sanskit! If it's never been properly used on your campus, teach the chapters HOW to use it! It's really a godsend, and will take a ton of guilt off of your shoulders.

Oh, and congratulations!!

[shadokat]

I agree 100% with honeychile! The one thing I would add is don't let anyone try to bully you into anything. I realize that may sound silly, but it's true what people will do when they realize who is holding the cards.

AND, do your best to bring the Panhellenic spirit to your campus if it isn't there. At one campus I work with, they started a panhellenic progressive dinner, where each house had a course (there were only 4 houses). It was really nice for all of the sororities to actually be inside of the other houses and talking...something very rare on this campus.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Make sure that Hail to the Chief is playing before you enter any room on official business.

[annice22]

Thank You

All the advice and information is very helpful.

[James]

I used to use either Wagners Ride of the Valkyries to herald the gatherer of the slain, or Orf's Carmina Burana because it just soundd wicked . . . to prelude me entering meetings.

It set just the right tone . . . put the cat among the pidgeons so to speak.

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
Make sure that Hail to the Chief is playing before you enter any room on official business.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Mars, from Holst's The Planets works well also.