The Renaissance of an Alumni Association

[Senusret I]

I am the President of an APO Alumni Association. (Do I say that a lot? I don't mean to, just wanted to frame the thread appropriately.)

Anyway, we are basically going to be changing the way we conduct business during this year. We have one year terms, and although most Presidents stick with two, I expect three. (There is never any competition and most presidents sorta just give up and move on LOL)

That said..... my goal for this administration is to basically start instituting "best practices" for everything we do.

First thing I did was start standing monthly board meetings, as opposed to "whenever the President feels like it" meetings. That alone has been helpful for collecting mail, signing checks, and acting more quickly on certain issues before the board.

I've also had to make some tough decisions .... for example, we're obviously a service fraternity, so we are supposed to do service. But when a project was planned for this Saturday with no notice before Wednesday, I asked the Service chair to postpone it. I just didn't believe it was a best practice to have a service project on short notice.

I want our events to be successful, not just adequate.

I hope to talk about the growth of my alumni association in this thread and inspire others who are also rebuilding their associations or chapters.

To kick it off, here is my first question:

For those of you who consider yourselves "idea oriented" leaders.... as well as those who demand a certain level of quality in what you do.... how do you work with people who are used to just throwing things together and hoping it works out somehow?

[Senusret I]

41 views and no responses..... you nosy rosies! LOL

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

To kick it off, here is my first question:

For those of you who consider yourselves "idea oriented" leaders.... as well as those who demand a certain level of quality in what you do.... how do you work with people who are used to just throwing things together and hoping it works out somehow?

My answer: Not well. I've decided I'm too old to try sometimes....

[Senusret I]

Yeah...... I am trying to work on my diplomacy in 2007. It's hard for me to politely pull someone's coattails if they've overstepped their office.

[Tom Earp]

Interesting concept!

[adrie435]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

For those of you who consider yourselves "idea oriented" leaders.... as well as those who demand a certain level of quality in what you do.... how do you work with people who are used to just throwing things together and hoping it works out somehow?

Hit your head against a wall several times and then go to work cleaning up any messes??

But seriously, it drives me nuts to work with people like this because I spend a lot of time thinking things through and planning before I go through with any idea so I can make sure that it will at least have some positive results rather than flying by the seat of my pants and keeping my fingers crossed. In a presidential position I suppose asking for updates on a regular basis can do a lot to satisfy your need for the details and can give you the opportunity to give feedback on what may or may not work. Open discussion with a group can do this without making it come from one person but it depends on how much time you have together. This will also encourage a person who doesn't typically think through all the details beforehand to do a little more planning. It's difficult to do that without micromanaging though.

[Senusret I]

Those are good ideas....

One thing I did to keep people engaged as well as begin weeding out the dead weight was send out an email giving EVERYBODY something to do by the next meeting. (We had a break in July) So in August, I will know everything, from who doesn't read their emails to who needs the rein and not the whip.

Yes, it will involve at least a little bit of micromanaging, but once I see who doesn't need it, I'll be ready to step back.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Those are good ideas....

One thing I did to keep people engaged as well as begin weeding out the dead weight was send out an email giving EVERYBODY something to do by the next meeting. (We had a break in July) So in August, I will know everything, from who doesn't read their emails to who needs the rein and not the whip.

Yes, it will involve at least a little bit of micromanaging, but once I see who doesn't need it, I'll be ready to step back.

Good for You. Uou mau be truing to do as we all do!

Maybe, get off of the Horse and let them ride it?

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Good for You. You may be trying to do as we all do!

Maybe, get off of the Horse and let them ride it?

Maybe they do not need your help?

[Fleur de Lis]

I've found that having a regular business meeting and setting a calendar for the next month/year is very helpful. Then people don't try to do things last minute and are generally prepared if there is a responsibility coming up.

I'm also a fan of an initial business meeting where people can all voice their expectations for the coming year. If you, as president, say you want your group to be more organized and active, people will likely get on board and have some good ideas, and they'll feel like they are a part of it.