Elections, and getting elected

[astralis]

This is a fairly simple question. I'm a junior, currently, and am in the running for sorority president next year. Our letters of interest are due soon, and there's a question on there: "What goals do you have for this office?" It's the same letter of interest for every position in our house, but I've been having some very mixed thoughts about what kind of answers to give. Sure, I have goals- I'm not asking you all to make up goals for me. What kind of prez material would I be then?
But my question is this: when they ask that question of a potential president, do you think they want specific goals? Goals for the chapter, or more personal goals? How would you approach common goals (i.e. 'unity') without sounding trite, and, for those of you who have held a presidential office, what were some of your goals? When I was philanthropy chair, the goal question was fairly simple, because I had fundraising and service to base goals on, but as president, things are a little different. I'm just trying to collect as much information as I can, seeking opinions and experiences, because my heart is set, and I really am committed to this, but I'm having a little trouble currently just trying to put my intentions into words.

Thanks all!

[33girl]

I think they want more goals for the chapter than personal goals. After all, the reason you're running for an office should be to help the chapter overall.

If I was a member voting, I would definitely hear "I want us to become more unified as a chapter by doing so and so" and give your ideas. This isn't national politics - fuzzy nonspecific feel good sounding stuff won't get you anywhere, these people actually live with you LOL.

[James]

Sotto Voice . . . World Peace . . .

Its usually goals for the office. You might want to reference some leadership or management materials and place your goals in that context.

Like blah blah blah, according to such and such in orders for organizational goals to be successful they need to be specific and link to change both up and down the chain of operations.

Blah Blah Blah, small changes in serveral operational areas can lead to results where the end is greater than the sum if its parts. In that spirirt I have loosely defined several areas of the chapter where small changes can lead to a big over all increase. . . . blah blah blah and blah.

You might even want to throw in a coaching analogy or something that validates your point. You could even put in a chart . . .

Or again, you could just say, World Peace.

[adpiucf]

Offer measurable goals that are attainable. Some suggestions are to take a look around your chapter and see what needs improving... 1) A greater appreciation of "living the ritual." You could offer as a solution that the chapter will have an annual ritual review workshop with an interactive activity and some kind of keepsake reminder or slogan to carry the message with them. 2) No Alpha/New Member Left Behind. Commit to 100% new member retention through committment to your Sponsor Program and an open door policy that any new member can come to you at any time. (Of course she has her new member educator and Big Sis, but sometimes it is nice to know the Pres has an interest in you, too). As part of your goal, host an Exec Brunch for the new members and their big sis's where they get to sit with the Exec board and get to know them. 3) Improve visibility on campus through Letter Wearing Wednesdays, Banner Tuesdays, etc.

Hope this helps!

[honeychile]

I assume this is a series of questions being asked by advisors or chapter members? The best thing you can offer is honesty. State the obvious good AND bad points of your chapter - then offer some ways (or a commitment to find ways) to improve the chapter.

If your numbers are down, spirits low, negativity abounds, then admit it, and offer some ways to improve the situation.

If everything is wonderful (you're at Quota/Total), you've won the last four Greek Weeks and have three Homecoming Queens or Princesses in your chapter, then recognize it, give the chapter its due. Then say how you would like to see the chapter remain on its present course, maybe adding an extra philanthropy, alum chums or something simple.

Nobody - the chapter or the advisors - wants to hear you lie about where the chapter's at, and where it should/is going. Good luck!

[KSigkid]

Offer attainable chapter goals (attainable in your mind), but don't just tell the people what they want to hear. Be honest, and go from there.

[EE-BO]

Great advice above and I would just add one thing-

Undercommit and overdeliver. This is one of the best pieces of advice I ever got professionally, and it applies here too. Obviously you can't go too far with it or you will never get elected, but the point is to think very practically about what you can achieve in one year.

A couple of general thoughts on goals,

1. Pick your battles- Find 1 or 2 things that you think are vital for the chapter's growth and then make those your primary goals. See #3 below too- make sure you pick your battles before you run.

2. Stay focused on the office- Not sure about sororities, but "100% dues collected" is a common fraternity officer goal. But this should be the Treasurer's goal- not the President's. Even though a President would help in the goal of 100% dues collection, make sure your personal goals pertain specifically to areas for which you are directly responsible.

3. Political Grapevine- Think carefully about the internal politics of goals you consider. If you have a "good goal" that you know will be opposed by enough people to make it hard to achieve, think about whether you should even write it down. If it is something you strongly believe in, then think of ways now that you could change the political climate to make that goal possible. If it is not something you think truly essential, consider dropping it (i.e. pick your battles.)

4. Personal Time Commitment- This goes back to #1, #2 and #3 in part. Think carefully about how many hours per week you can devote to your office. Make sure you believe that your stated goals can be achieved in that time frame. Between school, sorority and your personal life- how much time can you devote to this office? Which of your potential goals do you think you can achieve with that time?

I was in office my entire time as an undergrad (pledge class President and various offices after that) and now I am an advisor to my chapter. I have seen and worked with some very good and very bad officers.

But one thing most of them had in common is that they set a LOT of very general and lofty goals for themselves at the start of each semester. In many cases, a more realistic perspective on goals would have kept a lot of guys who actually did a really good job from getting frustrated and burned out when they failed to finish an impossible list of tasks- and it might have helped some not so good officers keep more focused and get the most important things done.

Hope this helps!

[lcalbdpzax]

When I ran for President I looked at the chapter and I looked at every problem that I thought existed and asked around what other people thought problems existed as well. I then brainstormed solutions to all these problems that I thought I could solve. Of course I tried my best and a chapter is never perfect., but the way I set my goals and my speech was really specific and my brothers could relate to it, therefore I won.

Going up there and giving inspirational quotes and stating your qualifications gets repetitive. It always turns into a snoozer when someone does that, in my opinion. Get specific of your intentions. Advocate a change for the better, but a devotion to traditions.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Let's be honest, most of the chapter will know who they are voting for long before they hear speeches, so don't sweat it too much, and just be genuine.