Chapter vs. Council leadership

[TSteven]

Replace IFC (below) with Panhellenic Council and the advice is the same.

Originally posted by TSteven
Note: the 'you' here is the hypothetical 'you'.


It sounds like the question behind the questions ("Should you work to grow your chapter, or should you run for a position on IFC or Panhell? Which is a better use of your talents?") comes down to which board - IFC's or the chapter's - should you serve on.

It depends on the campus environment. You should go for the position(s) that will benefit your chapter the most *and* be the best use of your talents/skills. As long as the overall outcome (all your time and energy) results in a positive impact on the chapter, then as James pointed out, why not serve on both.

If the IFC is nothing more than a paper organization that does not have any real power or prestige on campus, then just hold an IFC office *in name only*. What everyone else would be doing. You could then hold a chapter office which would allow you to use your leadership skills etc.

Now if serving on the IFC would have a real and positive impact on the chapter, then by all means serve on the IFC council. Depending on the chapter's by-laws, serving on IFC as an officer (not just as the chapter's IFC representative) might also be a position on the chapter's executive council/board. Even if it is not, you could hold a less demanding position within the chapter. One that perhaps doesn't require too much time but allows you to be on the executive council/board. Again, your leadership skills will be put to good use.

The bottom line is go for the position of real power and leadership on the board (IFC's or the chapter's) where you can best utilize your skills and talents while best serving your chapter.


Reminder: the 'you' is the hypothetical 'you'.