Tips for (new) Greek officers

[fense]

Does anyone have any tips for an incoming group of Chapter officers? Words of wisdom about common mistakes or helpful tips on how to ensure a smooth start to the school year?

Also, if anyone knows of some kind of guide that gives an introduction to how to run a fraternity/sorority, and could point me in that direction, I'd really appreciate it. I want to do a good job running our operations when the fall comes around, but I've found that there doesn't seem to be much helpful information out there about the nuts and bolts of Greek leadership. I'd be really grateful for any help! Thanks!

[TxGirl]

Your organization should have something to help you - a chapter officers manual of some kind.

Words of advise - listen to your chapter members, listen to your other committee members, think before you speak or act, follow the rules as outlined by your organization (on a local and a national level), don't make exception for officers, be a role model for not only your chapter members but for other officers.

Just the usual stuff you would do in any leadership position.

[bluriver]

1.) Don't be afraid to SPEAK UP!!
2.) Always create a timeline for events
3.) Always SET DEADLINES
4.) Expect the ABSOLUTE best from yourself, your other officers, and members in regards to the organization and their schoolwork
5.) Establish a monthly social activity for just the chapter members and officers...like a pizza night or bowling night...where everyone can come together to bond...you're going to need that when times get stuff and tension rises
6.) Make everyone responsible for something...every member can't be an officer or a committee chair, but there is no committee without committee members...make people feel important and they will have a reason to stay around and help the organization grow.
7.) Remember to always smile and be polite...even when you DONT FEEL LIKE IT...Interested people are always watching
8.) Work for your organization and your chapter as if your life depended on it.
9.) Never deviate from the timeline...it will help keep stress down a TON!!
10.) HAVE FUN!! who says running a organization or being a officer had to be BORING!! OR STRESSFUL.[B]

ohhhh, one more thing...everything youy learn about running a chapter or whatever your officer position is for the year....ESTABLISH A BINDER. Create a binder that has instructions on how to do things.

So, if you are the president...you should create a binder that gives instrutions on how to conduct a chapter meeting...like Robert's Rules of Order...you should have a description list of presidential duties. You should have a section on event planning and budgeting, etc.

This binder should be passed down from officer to officer. So that the person who takes on the position next year...has a "manual" to follow. EACH OFFICER POSITION should have a binder like this detailing what the position is and its responsibilities. Feel free to add other things you deem knowlegeable for successful completion of the positon.

Ok...Good Luck and many blessings to you.

[Private I]

something my chapter started up a while back was that each officer had to write a position manual for the next person to help them adjust to the new position. Then every time there's a transition, more gets added to the manual, including events that were successful, documentation on the amount of people attended and other demographics, as well as updated entries of other sororities/fraternities officers contact informations and emails.

biggest tip-never be afraid to ask questions from someone who has been in that officer position before. They've been in your position before and they should be able to help you out.

[fense]

Yeah, I do have access to a "manual" of sorts that's been compiled by previous generations of officers. However, it's awfully short on specifics - it tends to contain a lot of broad, vague advice along the lines of "set reasonable goals" or "motivate your fellow officers to establish a welcoming atmosphere".

I know it might sound kind of like plaigarism, and I certainly don't want to steal the hard-earned secrets of any other chapters, but if anyone has a sample manual from their chapter that they wouldn't mind sharing (or knows of one that's posted online), I'd really appreciate it.

[KSigkid]

You're never going to make everyone happy; try to do what's best for the chapter as a whole, ensuring success now and establishing a basis for the future.

Make rush a priority; if you're not bringing in new, quality, solid members, you can't keep the chapter alive.

Communicate with your fellow board members, as well as the chapter. If people think you're not listening, they're not going to listen to you, simple as that.

Be active; there's nothing worse than an officer that doesn't show up to events and meetings. If you're expecting people to show up to events, you'd better be there as well.

Finally, take time to step back and take a deep breath. There are times when you'll drive yourself crazy if you don't take a second to breathe and relax.

[PsychTau2]

Originally posted by fense
I know it might sound kind of like plaigarism, and I certainly don't want to steal the hard-earned secrets of any other chapters, but if anyone has a sample manual from their chapter that they wouldn't mind sharing (or knows of one that's posted online), I'd really appreciate it.

Are you in a National or Regional organization (or a local with just one or two chapters)? If you are in a larger organization, they should have resources for you. Also, talk with your school's Greek Advisor (or even the person responsible for advising SGA, etc.)...they can get their hands on resources for you as well.

I'm sure you can also do a Google search and find lots of things o the web...although it may not be a complete manual, it will give you good information to start with.

What organization are you in?

PsychTau

[BSUPhiSig'92]

I would strongly agree with doing a Google search for resources and talking with your Greek Advisor. There are lots of resources out there on the web, and that your Advisor should have access to.

Personally, I would recommend having a vision and some clear goals of what you want to accomplish and work on being able to communicate that vision to your chapter. As a Greek Advisor, I often see chapter presidents who just see the position as an administrative one, not of leadership in making your chapter the best it can be.

Good Luck!

[adpiucf]

ditto on the above! Hold an officer retreat where you brainstorm goals for your own offices-- measureable goals with a set deadline to complete-- and then hold a brainstorming meeting with the chapter to set and define chapter goals (IE #1 Greek GPA, Recruit 20 new members in the fall, etc). Place these goals in plain view and review them monthly.

Tips for New Greek officers

1) If you don’t have an alum adviser, get one. Even if it is a non-GLO member who is a current university faculty member. This person will sit in on major chapter decisions and help you maintain consistency, as well as good relations with the university.
2) Set a calendar of events for the year and be consistent. (IE: Always hold meetings at the same time each week, etc, so people can plan accordingly)
3) Hold Executive Board meetings once a week. Your adviser should attend these at least monthly.
4) Follow Parliamentary Procedure aka Robert’s Rules of Order in conducting meetings and chapter business.
5) Supplement chapter business meetings with monthly workshops which contribute to all-member development and education (IE: Healthy eating, Resume writing, Self-Defense, Study for Success, Anti-Hazing)
6) Have a semesterly “Town-Hall” style meeting where the Exec Board takes recommendations and feedback from the chapter on what’s going right and what can be improved upon.
7) Each officer should have a committee of chapter members who support their office. This is a great way to delegate and engage chapter members, as well as help up and coming chapter stars to learn about leadership opportunities.
8) Discourage cliques.
9) Plan at least one philanthropy awareness and fundraising event per semester, as well as providing ample opportunities for members to learn about community service activities.
10) Hold at least one scholarship/professor appreciation event per semester.
11) Encourage and require members to be involved in at least one non-Greek organization.
12) Recognize non-officer chapter members for their contributions.
13) Hold at least one chapter retreat per semester.
14) Encourage a culture of non-hazing and Panhellenism. Encourage members to make friends outside of your GLO with other GLO members.
15) Reach out to your alum by starting an email list-serv, chapter website and annual alum event with both collegians and alum.
16) Keep officer notebooks with calendars of events and correspondence, as well as plans for events and evaluations. As you go throughout the school year, you will develop a “Standard Operating Procedure aka SOP” for everything (IE: planning a formal ball, holding a chapter meeting, holding an exec meeting, planning a philanthropy event, etc.) Future officers can use this SOP and add to it.

Your Greek Adviser or Director of Student Life is a vauable resource for advisement, helping you get organized and coming up with ways to manage large groups.

[Zillini]

Ditto to everything that has already been said. Get your hands on the officer manuals and Chapter manual. Every national GLO has these and maybe yours were simply misplaced over the years. Then read them thoroughly. Also, study your chapter bylaws.

Here's the best advice I give to my new officers every year at our officer transition, especially a new President.

- There is a fine line between being a dictator and a leader. Sometimes it takes experience and even screw ups to discover where that line is.

- Be willing to admit you don't have the all the answers, then do the research to find them.

- Admit it when you make a mistake, then fix it.

- Be open and honest, but always respect the confidentiality of your members. This is especially important in regards to their finances, grades and standards issues.

- Along with that, you want members to feel comfortable in coming to talk to you with problems (personal or sorority related) and know that you won't be gossiping about what they said. Make sure the chapter knows when you will be available.

- Accept the fact that you may not be the most popular member of the chapter. This is especially true when it is your responsibility to enforce rules/policies or collecting money.

- Seek out input from all areas of the chapter including: different pledge classes/years in school, different cliques/social groups, officers and non-officers. But at the same time don't get so bogged down that every little decision requires a chapter discussion and/or vote.

[TxGirl]

Great advise - and word to live by for ALL officers/committee members in any organization.

Zillini - always such words of wizdom.

[bluriver]

Yes, honesty is the best policy...but when you're not afraid to "speak up" then that also means that you can "back up all the talk" as a person said in the above post.

Not being afraid to express your opinion and knowing what the heck your talking about and being able to listen to your other officers opinion will help people respect you as a leader.

So. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP...
MEAN WHAT YOU SAY...WHEN YOU SAY IT.
and BE READY TO BACK UP WHAT YOU SAY WITH ACTIONS.

[Zillini]

Originally posted by TxGirl
Great advise - and word to live by for ALL officers/committee members in any organization.

Zillini - always such words of wizdom.

*blushing*

Thank you kindly!

[FSUZeta]

utilize your advisors. alumnae do not volunteer to be advisors if they are not interested in working with collegians. advisors are not there to be the police-we are there to help you to make your chapter the best that it can be. advisors don't make decisions for your chapter-they help you as officers to present ideas to the chapter so that the chapter can make informed decisions.

[gpb1874]

Originally posted by FSUZeta
utilize your advisors. alumnae do not volunteer to be advisors if they are not interested in working with collegians. advisors are not there to be the police-we are there to help you to make your chapter the best that it can be. advisors don't make decisions for your chapter-they help you as officers to present ideas to the chapter so that the chapter can make informed decisions.

Amen! We are not the enemy! We want to help! Give us a call and we'd love to talk!