A chapter advisor is just an adult voice around the chapter, hopefully meeting regularly with the officers and occasionally the entire chapter.
He can be the chapter memory: "When the chapter tried that a few years ago, this happened." He can ask questions about plans and upcoming events: "What exactly are you going to do, how are you going to pay for it, etc." When you have to discuss things in advance with an outsider, more good things will happen.
Every good chapter has a good and experienced advisor. Weenie chapters rarely do.
Each advisor has his own style of advising and leadership. Inquire with your IFC or dean on what chapters have good advisors, and perhaps your advisor can meet with them to learn a few tricks and techniques.
He or she is not your mommy or daddy, and he's not to keep you from making mistakes (and learning from them). He's to help keep you from repeating mistakes.
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