Qualities of a President?

[BrianMUDU]

What do you think are the most important qualities that a fraternity or sorority President should possess?

[VctoriasSecrt]

organization skills off the chain...that is a large undertaking in any organization...and if you are not an organized person...it may be hard to maintain effeciency...the ability to communicate goals effectively, apportion certain duties to individuals and see that they are carried out without overshadowing other officers/committee members leadership space is important as well...

[Lots-a-Heart]

I like this topic BrianMUDU....that is a good one. When I was re-elected as Chief Magistrate for my sorority one of my I guess you could say "selling points" was that most if not all, sisters felt that they could approach me. I know that when we are in Greek organizations we can say that its all good, but I know that in my sorority from time to time, there have been some cliques, or friendships that have kinded been put to the test. But like I said the sisters who voted for me agreed that I WILL approach any sisters for ANY reason and they in turn would turn to me in times of whatever. So that is very important. Plus, I don't mind public speaking or attending more than a chapter meeting. Along with being President I have also helped organize events or met with sisters who hold positions to discuss their frustrations or to help them with their duties. To qoute Colby from Survivor (I know, I'm a geek!" "You need to be a jack of all trades, but not neccessarily a master of any." (I think that was how he said it...) Anyways, you know what I mean, right?
1. Personable
2. Determined
3. Eager
4. Helpful
5. Outgoing!
(I guess I could have made this REALLY short and just wrote the list! Oh well, I am bored! Sorry!)
Anyways, are you running? thinking of running? You can email me if you have any questions or need help, or whatever!

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Sarah
Sister Lots-a-Heart, #9
President, Iota Beta Chi Sorority
http://welcome.to/iotabetachi

[sigmagrrl]

You need someone level headed, but most of all, someone who can be diplomatic and impartial. Someone who won't take sides with her/his friends, and can listen without judging you...

[Siobhan]

First of all organization is important but not as important as it is to be a people person. It is important that people can approach you and talk to you about issues. We all hate criticism, even if it is constructive, but it is very important that you do listen because your sisters/brothers are offering you this advice to help you. Also it is very important that you respect all members of your chapter. If someone is having problems with their position, help them - don't go behind their backs and redo their jobs. You need to be able to leave your own opinions at the door and focus on what the chapter wants/whats good for the chapter. Also, sometimes you have to be the bad guy: I always hated this one, but you always have to keep in mind what is best for the chapter as a whole.

[LexiKD]

You must be a FAIR person and have that reputation.
Presidents should always see what is best for the organization, not herself or a select ggroup of members.
She needs to be able to see the "big picture"....your chapter...your campus...the Greek System....Your National Organization.

[BrianMUDU]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Lots, I am going to run for president in November -- yes, I know it is early, but it has been on my mind since about December

I think I'm the right one for the job, I just wanted to see what you all thought about what a President should be. A lot of what I do for my chapter is behind the scenes kind of work, so next fall I will have to show everyone that I can do it and want this position more than anything. Thanks for your replies.

Brian

[33girl]

Hmmm...it is easier for me (sorry if it's a little negative) to list things a good prez SHOULDN'T do.

-Don't be a martyr to your position and act like everyone should pity you for having the world on your shoulders. If you didn't want the responsibility you shouldn't have run.
-Don't be a figurehead with your big/little/roommate making the decisions instead of you.
-Don't forget to have fun.
-Don't avoid socializing with other Greeks.

[Lots-a-Heart]

Brian -

Good luck and keep us posted!


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Sarah
Sister Lots-a-Heart, #9
President, Iota Beta Chi Sorority
http://welcome.to/iotabetachi

[James]

I am going to apply at LENGTH about this later . . . sorry Greek chatters you know I tend to go and on . . . but I was chapter President for 2.5 years and the founder of my chapter as well as an officer in Student Government, and VP Greek Council . . . yada yada yada.

And leadership topics are really important to me because they can MATTER, if not right this instant then later.

But before I leave for the night let me leave you with one of my approaches to leadership.

It is one of the duties of a leader to judge flaws in a system and predict where things can break down.

To make the concept less esoteric . . .:

If I have a crystal container that is very beautiful, I also have to judge its functionability under stresses, i.e. will it break!

So mentally, after admiring it, I rotate it in my head and start applying pressure to it, to see what its breaking point is relative to other pieces of crystal . . . because when it mattersit needs to hold together.

I do the same thing to people that are running for office. I start thinking about situations where the stakes are a lot higher, and the pressure much greater, and then start comparing people.

Its analagous to who will let you achieve your objectives in wartime . .. and still bring you home in one piece!

That is when you can tell people apart . .. because most of the time we don't get the best leaders because a lot comes down to popularity and its not obvious how it matters.

I'll write more when less tired because I think this may be one of the most important topics in the world . . .

If you read the biographies of Great People, you'll find they primarily learn their techniques on dealing with the world between 18-30. And usually what seperates them is they have better world views, that are very apparent when things are going wrong!

[This message has been edited by James (edited May 09, 2001).]

[AlphaChiGirl]

An effective leader...not someone on a power trip who just likes to boss people around. Someone who is willing to delegate tasks and authority.

[Tom Earp]

I am taking this from the latest copy of the Cross & Cresent, the magazine of LXA.

"Leadership is an open-minded process driven by both values and principles towards the attainment of overall excellence. Leaders must be able to both delegate authourity and act on their own initiative, thus gaining respect and building confidence".

That pretty well says it all but does not mean it will be any easier.

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

[James]

Lets try this again . . .

Leaders have Vision part 1:

This means they know where they are going and basically how to get there. Which means they work backwards from their objectives.

This should affect the way you approach planning for the semester:

So first sit down for a few hours and think about the following question, if my chapter were the best and most fun out there what would be doing and how would be doing it.

Divide it up into categories, social, service, leadership . . . etc. And quantify and qualify it. How many projects/events what are their objectives etc.

Work it up into a plan that spans the entire semester in detail and the rest of the year more tentatively.

After you finish the plan, and you should have used resources like this site, manuals, magazines, conversations, other GLO web sites and resources, don't show it to anyone.

Get in touch with your EC officers which are like your cabinet heads, and give them the questions you asked yourself in advance, as well as the categories and resources, and tell them you are going to discuss ideas at an EC retreat. This should be on an agenda.

Before you go mentally review your plan (which is in writing or it doesn't exist) and don't be attached to the specifc idea but rather the concept. If you want a dance a thon for charity break it down to what it really is: A philanthropic event that has particpation and publicity from outside your group and that should be fun while providing a team bulding excercise for your chapter.

Go into your EC meeting and have them work together to formulate a plan, brainstorm ideas, but don't show them your master. And start piecing together the better ideas.

Then contact the chapter and tell them what you told the EC in advance of the EC retreat and that you are going to have a chapter retreat.

Don't show the chapter your master plan or EC plan, let them brainstorm. Divide into groups to brainstorm the varius categories that you set up. Have the EC facilitate with you as the overall facilitator, unless you are a bad public speaker.

Anyway during the second half of the Chapter Retreat start cutting and pasting the best ideas into their respective positions. And come up with firm dates for the larger stuff.

The purpose of this excersize is to make sure you are prepared, both in knowledge and a plan. This gives you a minimum standard to achieve.

The same thing is true of the EC they get more knowledge and help develop a plan, and during this step the plan should get better so that you have a new minimum standard.

Then in stage 3 when you walk into a chapter retreat you can guide the chapter into coming up with ideas even better than realized in the last two stages.

But you are more likely to come up with a better overall plan with the steps, and everyone will feel a part of it.

As an immediate follow-up make sure you print-up the plan and give it to everyone in your chapter, which should be placed in the notebook they bring to EVERY meeting.

EVERYTHING needs to be in writing.


[This message has been edited by James (edited May 22, 2001).]

[Rudey]

Some stuff I learned.

1)If anything goes wrong, in the end it's always the president's fault.
2)Pick your battles
3)Be social
4)Make sure people respect you. Everyone has has that one substitute teacher that comes in and asks everyone to call him by his first name and lets the kids play tic-tac-toe...well if he comes in a month later and tries to teach algebra, nobody will listen.
5)Smooth talking is important, but in the end you leave the chapter with results to look back on...not words.
6)Move fast. If there's an opportunity for the betterment of your chapter, seize it. If there's a problem, end it as fast as possible...
7)Be prepared to work hard. Don't expect to hand down assignments and finish off. You must learn to balance between working on your own and delegating - both are crucial.
8)Be that "good" guy...set an example.
9)Think positive and think the impossible. That means if someone says "alpha alpha alpha" will suck and never hang out with a sorority, you go out and make sure that sorority has a social with you. If they say you can't rush more than 5 guys, you get off your arse and find 50. This doesn't mean you should do all the work yourself, but it does mean that you should learn to motivate the others to think like you.
10)Tit-for-tat...do people favors...collect on them later if you need something difficult.
11)Keep high social contact among the members. You should keep seeing all the brothers and hanging out with them on a regular basis so they don't feel that you're secluded now.