Running for President and Studying Abroad.

justcurious07 · #1 09-16-2011, 06:33 AM

Hello,

I am turning to you all for some advice.

I am in a sorority that I absolutely love. Joining was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

I have had quite a few people ask me to run for President. To be honest, the idea never crossed my mind. As I think more and more about it, I do believe that it is something that I would like to run for and hopefully, do well.

That being said, I was planning on studying abroad this summer. If I won the election this fall ('11), that would mean that the chapter president would be abroad this summer ('12).

Have any of you experienced this at your own chapter, regardless of which sorority? How did it play out? What do you think are the pros & cons, etc?

I would really appreciate your feedback.

Thank you so much.

DubaiSis · #2 09-16-2011, 07:29 AM

You would hold office starting exactly when and ending when? And your study abroad program would be exactly when to when? Would you be missing any school in the US while on your study abroad program? Is there ANYTHING you would miss as far as chapter activity by being away? If the answer to this one is yes, you shouldn't do it.

If you're only going to be gone during the summer and not miss any school, you can probably work it out. Yes, the president has planning and stuff that she undoubtedly does during the summer but you could be doing some of that from Paris or wherever. But if you're going to miss rush, work week or more than a single chapter meeting, I would say you should pass on the presidency.

AZTheta · #3 09-16-2011, 10:14 AM

We have had Presidents who have been away a summer, doing an internship/externship that was vital to their major. No problem. How would studying abroad be any different?

If you can answer all DS's questions, and think you can handle the responsibilities of the President, I say Go For It.

DeltaBetaBaby · #4 09-16-2011, 11:18 AM

I was abroad the summer I was president. No biggie. People knew how to get a hold of me if something came up.

Amy Kates · #5 09-16-2011, 12:17 PM

You might want to check what your organization's requirements for a summer meeting like Convention or a leadership conference. Some groups do require that chapter presidents attend. Others are allowed to substitute.

DrPhil · #6 09-16-2011, 01:54 PM

I missed the "over the summer" part so I edited my post:

My collegiate chapter would not have cared if our president was studying abroad over the summer as long as she was coming back ready to work in the fall.

Cen1aur 1963 · #7 09-16-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justcurious07

Hello,

I am turning to you all for some advice.

I am in a sorority that I absolutely love. Joining was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

I have had quite a few people ask me to run for President. To be honest, the idea never crossed my mind. As I think more and more about it, I do believe that it is something that I would like to run for and hopefully, do well.

That being said, I was planning on studying abroad this summer. If I won the election this fall ('11), that would mean that the chapter president would be abroad this summer ('12).

Have any of you experienced this at your own chapter, regardless of which sorority? How did it play out? What do you think are the pros & cons, etc?

I would really appreciate your feedback.

Thank you so much.

There's a reason why people would recommend you to be president. You're probably a hard worker who has leadership qualities who also has a lot of love for the organization. Just make sure it's a position you really want to hold, because it's a lot of work.

33girl · #8 09-16-2011, 02:17 PM

Nowadays, quite frankly, I don't see the difference between a chapter president who's abroad and one who lives in, say, California, and the school is in Maine. It's summer. No one's at school. Unless there is a national/regional conference of some sort that must be attended by the president and only the president, I don't see the problem.

DubaiSis · #9 09-17-2011, 03:59 AM

Trust someone who KNOWS, the world is a small place. Unless you would have obligations to be somewhere (and these things are important), you can be anywhere, even Dubai, and communicate daily with people in the US. I do it every day, for work and family. 20 years ago that may have been different, but except for a change in fee structure, you can even continue to use your cell phone as normal. We can talk about Skype and Magic Jack if you want some long distance communications counseling.

justcurious07 · #10 09-17-2011, 02:19 PM

To try and answer your questions:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

You would hold office starting exactly when and ending when?

If I were to get the position, I would begin my term November 2011 to November 2012.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

And your study abroad program would be exactly when to when?

My study abroad program would be from late May to early August.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Would you be missing any school in the US while on your study abroad program?

If by school, you mean fall or spring semesters, no, I would not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Is there ANYTHING you would miss as far as chapter activity by being away? If the answer to this one is yes, you shouldn't do it.

As far as I am aware, no. I would obviously need to make sure there are no conventions where the President's attendance is mandatory. I would be back in time for before our recruitment work week starts.

justcurious07 · #11 09-17-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Kates

You might want to check what your organization's requirements for a summer meeting like Convention or a leadership conference. Some groups do require that chapter presidents attend. Others are allowed to substitute.

I will be sure to do that. Thank you.

justcurious07 · #12 09-17-2011, 02:27 PM

It's definitely really encouraging to hear that this could possibly work. Although abroad (and I would be with my sisters!), I would most certainly make myself as available as possible to everyone.

Thank you again for everyone's input.

katydidKD · #13 09-17-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justcurious07

It's definitely really encouraging to hear that this could possibly work. Although abroad (and I would be with my sisters!), I would most certainly make myself as available as possible to everyone.

Thank you again for everyone's input.

I didn't go abroad the summer I was president, but I know LOTS of other chapter presidents who did go abroad that summer!

Senusret I · #14 09-17-2011, 09:54 PM

Also, I mean, hello... Vice Presidents. They're there for a reason.

justcurious07 · #15 09-19-2011, 12:20 PM

Along the same topic of running for president. I'd really love to talk with our current president about her job and what she likes/dislikes, etc.

But there are a few things:
1) She'll be here the next year.
2) I'm pretty sure I would not be the person that she votes for. One of the VPs now (who is also her good friend) will probably be running for president as well.

Is this a good thing to do? I don't want to seem like I'm trying to get an "in" with the president, etc.