What Do You Look For In A President?!

[Canadian AOII]

Hey Guys!

With elections coming up in the next few weeks I was wondering, what qualities do you look for when voting on your group's president? Are there any positions that he/she could have held prior that help put this person over the edge w/ their competition? Also what kind of characteristics and personality traits should this person have? thanks!

[imsohappythatiama]

I advise the women in the 4 chapters I oversee too look for (among other things):

* the ability to avoid drama and stay above the fray
* the ability to do confrontation well (it's required)
* the ability to delegate comfortably and successfully
* the ability to be FAIR and personally detached in dealing with crises and issues
* the ability to keep her mouth shut and keep Council and chapter business quiet
* the ability to converse comfortably and properly with fraternity officers, university officials, law enforcement officials, etc. in good times and bad times (you never know)
* the ability to listen to her mind's ear to be wary of situation that are risky, or could expose the chapter to negative PR
* the ability to be comfortable with handing down decisions that aren't necessarily popular, but are in the best long term interest of the chapter.

Being President is a hard, but rewarding job. I think all of my Presidents came into the job with a great deal of strenghts, and are now leaving the job having grown tremendously--to the point where things that used to phase them or make them panic don't even make them break a sweat, now!

[Tom Earp]

iamsohappy,

I think you just put in total perspective

The worst thing in the world is to vote someone in as President of You Chapter with out these skills. Why? They are the one who personifies you Chapter to the whole campus and college.


We had a President who looked good but was despised by the total Greek Community because of his arrogance, lost the Chapter respect along with it! While the Soroities love some of the Brothers, they dont want anything to do with them!

[Dionysus]

*Same interests
*Same goals
*Same values
*Same religious background
*Same political background
*Same gender
*Same racial background

[MeLikey]

imsohappythatiama-- great list! I also look for someone who doesn't get stressed out easily, ie. if she gets stressed out over organizing a little fundraiser as P.R. chair, how is she going to handle all the stress that comes as president? In addition, I want someone who is approachable, who I can easily communicate with.

[ThetaGrrl]

I think that it's good to look for someone who will set a good example.

For example, I never would have made a good president, because I am not so good at following the rules.

It's good to have someone who will stand up for what's right and do what's best for the group, rather than what's best for themselves. Really, this includes lots of things, from respecting ritual, to following facility rules. It's easy for new members to see a president doing something wrong and use it as an excuse for their own behavior.

[imsohappythatiama]

Originally posted by Dionysus
*Same religious background
*Same political background
*Same racial background

You're joking, right?

[texas*princess]

I personally think it's also important to have a kind of positive "aura" about them. I don't exactly know how to put it in words or if "aura" is even the right word to use... but basically the kind of person that makes you *want* to be at events, activites, etc, and not the kind of person who just says "it's mandatory so you HAVE to be there".. does anyone know what i'm saying? it's kind of hard to express in type.

Being a member of both ADPi & Delta SIgma Pi, I have seen a ton of different leadership styles in presidents and other officers, and the chapter leaders I like most are definitely the ones that are so excited about being there, so much that they make you excited and want to be there even more than you already do. It's good for the overall chapter morale in my opinion

[angelic1]

Originally posted by texas*princess
I personally think it's also important to have a kind of positive "aura" about them. I don't exactly know how to put it in words or if "aura" is even the right word to use... but basically the kind of person that makes you *want* to be at events, activites, etc, and not the kind of person who just says "it's mandatory so you HAVE to be there".. does anyone know what i'm saying? it's kind of hard to express in type.

I know exactly what you mean.. some people are just natural leaders.. they walk into the room and they have your full attention... this was a great quality in some of the presidents i have seen..

[BSUPhiSig'92]

That "aura" is what is generally called charisma, and it is often the determining factor between a great president and a good president. A good president makes sure the chapter is doing what it needs to. A great president inspires the members to strive for something higher.