Question on advising collegiate chapters

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I'm on the CAB for the chapter affiliated with my employer, but I don't really do much related to my specific CAB role. I have filled in when the chapter adviser has been out of town, but HQ also just wants to see a full CAB when evaluating chapters.

[AOIILisa]

Are your advisers required to be active members?

-- We like them to be a part of the alumnae chapter, I'm not sure if it's required, but all of the advisers are.


Are they typically involved on the alumni level?

-- Yes.


Tell me more about these advisor meetings - do advisers from different chapters meet across functions (for example, all the financial advisers from chapters in a region) or all 11 advisers for that one chapter?

-- Yes , we meet monthly and also meet with our regional people as needed.


On a separate note, how are advisers selected: appointed, volunteer, run in an election?

-- Volunteer.


Do undergraduates have any say?

-- Yes "ish". Typically, they don't have a say in who is doing the volunteering. However, in the event that the collegians take issue with a particular alumna, their viewpoints and concerns will surely be considered. I myself try to be an adviser and not a dictator, meaning, I will try to steer them towards the correct answer, but unless they are breaking rules, I won't demand to have the last word. I had my collegiate experience and I let them have theirs, but I am always available for help when needed.


Are the advisers ever alum of the chapter?

-- Yes, I advise a Philly collegiate chapter and because my own chapter in Maine has trouble getting people to advise, I help them out remotely. The Philly collegiate chapter has a few advisers who are alums of the chapter.


Are the advisers usually more seasoned in the organization?

-- Not necessarily, but it's usually the case. In my experience, the women volunteering to advise have solid backgrounds in both professional experience and with the sorority.


Also, how much do advisers get to know new member classes, or the chapter as a whole? Is she typically a name on an email, or a present and welcomed face around the house?

-- the collegiate exec board knows us all, they know the chapter adviser in particular very well, the rest of the advisory committee members - it depends on how large the chapter is, what your adviser role is and if you are advising remotely. Most of the local chapter knows me as the recruitment adviser since I have to interact with them all that way, though I really have a larger role as a finance adviser. For my Maine chapter, the CT and I are facebook friends just so she can get to "know" me as a person and not just as an email address.

[shadokat]

Are your advisers required to be active members?

-- For the most part, yes, but when I advised a colony many moons ago, we had a Kappa who worked with us, which was nice.


Are they typically involved on the alumni level?

-- You can be but you don't have to be. You do have to pay alumni dues though.


Tell me more about these advisor meetings - do advisers from different chapters meet across functions (for example, all the financial advisers from chapters in a region) or all 11 advisers for that one chapter?

-- Advisors may meet with other advisors during convention, leadership conferences and Engage U. Advisors within the same CAB may do conference calls if so needed.


On a separate note, how are advisers selected: appointed, volunteer, run in an election?

-- Volunteer by appointment


Do undergraduates have any say?

-- They don't so much get a say in who is appointed, but if they know someone who is wanting to volunteer and wants to work with them, they can ask for that. And if the chapter and advisor don't work well together, I would think that the advisor can be replaced.


Are the advisers ever alum of the chapter?

-- Yes, but they must be at least 3-5 years graduated to advise at their own chapter.


Are the advisers usually more seasoned in the organization?

-- For some areas of sorority, yes. But even new volunteers can advise in some capacity.


Also, how much do advisers get to know new member classes, or the chapter as a whole? Is she typically a name on an email, or a present and welcomed face around the house?

-- Advisors don't really get to know new member classes, but the whole chapter, for sure. For those in a the position of advising an area, like recruitment, they will typically get to know their VP best. With some chapters, advisors aren't always a welcome face, but that's part of working with collegiate members. They don't always like being "advised!"

On another note, I'm SOOOOOO glad that I do not have to chaperone formals. That just seems crazy to me!

[sigmagirl2000]

Are your advisers required to be active members?

-- Yes, they must be dues paying alumnae members in good standing

Are they typically involved on the alumni level?

-- Yes (mostly). Advisors are to be dues paying members of their local alumnae chapter. If there is no local chapter, they may simply pay national dues.


On a separate note, how are advisers selected: appointed, volunteer, run in an election?

-- Most collegiate advisors simply volunteer. The Advisory Board Supervisor for each chapter is a National Council appointed position. The ABS then forms their Collegiate Advisory Board.

Are the advisers ever alum of the chapter?

-- Yes, however certain ABSes employ certain criteria - such as not wanting more than x alumnae from that collegiate chapter on the advisory board (especially if they are younger). Alumnae are required to be out of college for 2 years before advising a chapter that isn't their chapter of initiation and 4 years before advising at their chapter of initiation.


Are the advisers usually more seasoned in the organization?

--I think that ABSes are generally more seasoned advisors, as they generally need to have some track record of success and experience to be appointed to the Advisory Board Supervisor role. Advisors for specific positions are sometimes more seasoned and sometimes they are new to volunteering within the Sorority. I used my first few years as a collegiate advisor to become seasoned in the organization and to learn about the sorority from the other side.

[AOIILisa]

Originally Posted by shadokat

On another note, I'm SOOOOOO glad that I do not have to chaperone formals. That just seems crazy to me!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that - I was like "Seriously?" No one ever chaperoned our formals when I was in school. So far I've avoided doing it but I"m sure my turn is coming.

[flirt5721]

Are your advisers required to be active members?
-- Most of the time they are. We currently have an AXO on the Advisory Board. She knows a lot about FIPG so she advises in general term for Chapter Life. She was actually suggested to the Chapter Advisor by a member of National Team that was helping out the chapter. There is no AXO chapter near and she wanted to be involved with sorority life. She bring a different perspective as she was a colony member at a larger university. If any ritual or members only items need discussion she will either leave the room or not go to the meeting.
Are they typically involved on the alumni level?
-- Yes. What I’ve been told is that normally there has to be a 5 year gap from the time of graduation to advise your chapter unless there is an immediate need.
Tell me more about these advisor meetings - do advisers from different chapters meet across functions (for example, all the financial advisers from chapters in a region) or all 11 advisers for that one chapter?
-- We have a meeting once a month; more if needed. Sometimes instead of meeting we will email or text if there is an issue that needs immediate attention.
The only time we meet with other chapters is there is an area wide training. In the area where I am at there are only two chapters. The next closest will be 6 hours away when they colonize.
On a separate note, how are advisers selected: appointed, volunteer, run in an election?
-- We are volunteers. The main chapter advisor is appointed. They first must show interest by filling out a volunteer form or someone from HQ could call them up and ask. Then the rest of the advisory board can be appointed by the CA. Just because on shows interest doesn’t mean they will automatically be an advisor.
Do undergraduates have any say?
-- They do not have a say in who volunteers. Like stated above, if there is a major issue that comes up between the advisors and chapter sometime the advisor would be asked to no longer advise.
Are the advisers ever alum of the chapter?
-- Yes, I advise at my initiating chapter.
Are the advisers usually more seasoned in the organization?
-- Sometimes. I know of one Chapter Advisor at another chapter that is a graduate student.

Also, how much do advisers get to know new member classes, or the chapter as a whole? Is she typically a name on an email, or a present and welcomed face around the house?

-- The main chapter advisor spends more time with the chapter. This is my first year advising so that is one thing that I and the other advisors are trying to figure out. I know the exec. member. We are planning on having some kind of get to know your advisor meeting or something in the fall.

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by AOIILisa

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that - I was like "Seriously?" No one ever chaperoned our formals when I was in school. So far I've avoided doing it but I"m sure my turn is coming.

I chaperoned a party one time. A couple of the members asked me to kick a guy out who was a known roofie-er. THAT was something I definitely didn't have to deal with as a collegian. As I recall, the guy bailed out of there before I got the chance to be a hero but I was glad the girls #1-knew there was trouble in the room and 2-had no hesitation about dealing with it.

This would be a reason why chaperoning parties is a good idea. It takes the onus off the girls and lets the old broad take the heat. A drunk sister, or worse, date may cause a huge scene if the president tells her it's time to go home. There's not much drunk girl is gonna say to the old broad.

[Titchou]

I concur, DubaiSis. It's much easier for us to be the bad guy and take the heat off the collegians in this type situation...and I never minded doing it. Sent one guy home in a cab once...never even asked if he had the money to pay for it!