The Renaissance of an Alumni Association

[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.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by 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.

I totally agree with you about the regular business meetings. The positive result of that change is that the majority of the 12 people on the board understand that this is a working board, not a causal advisory board.

What I hope to have at the next board meeting is the FINAL calendar for the 07-08 year. Our meetings are already set, so I hope that once the whole programming calendar is set, the brothers will see what a robust fraternal year should look like.

Slowly but surely, it's coming along.

(I do fully expect at least two board members to resign before too long, though)

[firecracker08]

Your point about giving everyone something to do is a really good one. You can definitely see who's willing to work and who is not. Also consider setting deadlines for certain things you need done and unfortunately, checking in to see how things are going. You want to avoid appearing pushy but also seem serious about getting work done. I don't do well with the flying by the seat of my pants theory so I decide on what I can do and work to my potential. Good luck!

[Senusret I]

Thanks! I appreciate everyone who is keeping up with this thread. Nothing new to report except for one board member being on the ball and sending me his assignment early!

[SnowLady]

I'm also a planner. We have our year planned before our year starts. I'm also a big picture planner. So when I look at an event in December at our August planning meeting I want to know how it will all come together now. List it all out, responsibilities, time frames and then ask for regular updates.

One of my favorite things to do with someone that's either flaked on a job or new to the board is to give them a timeline that's ahead of what I really need. So say I need something done by August 1st, I'd give them to July 15th. On July 15th I'd say, I know you're really busy but I really need this done by August 1st. If you're unable to get that done I'd be happy to ask another officer/member to do that. 1. It gives them an out if they need it. 2. You let them know you mean business.

Let's face it - most of our members have other lives. No doubt about it! But our organizations wouldn't thive if committee members / officers didn't put their 1 -5 hours a month into the job. We're all adults. If you can't do it or need help, ask! I set my expectations at the first officer meeting where I tell them exactly that. I don't want to micro-manage. That makes it difficult for anyone to replace me. But I won't have our organization fail because life got in the way. So if you feel like life is getting in the way - shoot me an email, call me because I have a hard time reading minds...