What makes a good advisor?

TechAPhi · #1 04-01-2003, 03:53 AM

Haven't started a thread in a while, so I thought I'd get your opinion on something:

What makes a good advisor?

If you're a collegian, what do you expect from an advisor?

If you're an advisor, former advisor, etc. what do you think it takes to do a good job?

This question occurred to me while speaking to another advisor and I am curious to have your thoughts. Members of other sororities and fraternities, please feel free to opine...

lauralaylin · #2 04-01-2003, 11:25 AM

What I try to do is to advise and not tell. If I only make suggestions, then when I really feel the need to put my foot down, I'm listened to. I also try to be really supportive, showing up to all events in my department (recruitment), including all of Polish Week. But I let them lead the meetings, I try not to interfere. But Iota Delta at URI is doing very well (rushing 3/4 out of 9/10), so while they still have work to get to #1, it's not like they have no clue as to what they are doing!

a CA in CA · #3 04-01-2003, 11:27 PM

Here's my thoughts and what I try to go by with the chapter I advise:

1. Praise in public, correct in private.

2. Never miss an opportunity to be someone's cheerleader!

3. Know when to let the chapter feel their own way through an issue without "stepping in and taking over".

4. Learn what makes the exec officers tick so when you do need to step in and speak up, they understand that you are a partner and not a threat.

yogiPhi · #4 04-14-2003, 12:36 PM

I have a question on this topic...

Do you, as an advisor or collegiate, think the advisor should be the one contacting the officer to 'check in' or should it go the other way?

Do you assume that all is well, unless you hear otherwise? Or do you monitor more?

I'd like to know what other campuses do. We have always assumed that all was well, unless we heard otherwise. And waited for the officers to phone us with problems/concerns/updates. However, it has become apparent in our transition this year, that there was MUCH the last EC did not tell us (they were on EC for 2 years, in different positions, so pretty much had control for 2 years) We are dealing with that now. They are BIG issues: like money management, standards, hazing & harassment, etc.

Looking forward to input!

lauralaylin · #5 04-14-2003, 01:00 PM

I definitely check in. How do you know if things are going well? If you split up the chapter meetings, it's possible to go to the chapter once a month, and that's not enough contact in my opinion. Of course, I'm a recruitment advisor, which I think can be a little more pressing than other areas. I'm not saying that I email every week or anything. But for instance, if I wasn't going over there tonight for their meeting, I'd be emailing the VP I work with to make sure she's planning and has workshops set up for this month, etc. I know how easy it is to get so involved in school, life, etc. and to let the planning slip, so I want to make sure that doesn't happen.

bruinaphi · #6 04-14-2003, 02:28 PM

I am definitely a hands-on advisor, as the women from all of my chapters can attest. I check-in with the VPMR or the DFR whenever I feel like it's been a while or I need to know what's going on. I find that the collegiates don't always know what it is I want to know and unless I ask I never get the information I need.

stmuprncez · #7 05-15-2003, 04:18 AM

Hmm intresting I guess because we are still doing so many changes in our chapter because it seems that our advisor is everywhere except for our actual events. I mean to me it's not a bad thing just kinda like hmm ok. I think an advisor should be someone who you feel comfortable enough with to go to for help or advice whether it be alpha phi related or just as an older more wiser sister. I also think that advisors should have lots of faith in their members because in reality we want Alpha Phi to succeed more than anyone!!! It's great to have Alumnae that help out but it would also be great to work out our own leadership skills and not be bossed into doing things. Over all our advisor is great. I think Margaret is doing a great job. It just like everything else in life you have to learn to work with people

ivygal · #8 05-15-2003, 10:58 AM

A good advisor should ADVISE not as a dictator role within the organization. Realize that it's the active members chapter and to support their ideas. The advisor should also step in and correct (in private of course) and take action if rules are being broken or infractions are occuring. Also in my opinion the advisor should be the head of initializing watchcare amoung the ladies.

We have an awesome advisor...I love Nicole!!!!

IheartAphi · #9 05-26-2003, 12:37 AM

We had an absent advisor for quite a while that handled all our chapters financial information. While we did get away with quite a few things internationals would not have approved of, we were in the dark of how much debt our chapter was getting into. From bad financial decisions and over spending, we ended up having to pay internationals 12 grand when our chapter closed to cover debts and the additional start up funds.

An advisor needs to make sure that spending is curved and that dues are paid. The old advisor allowed people to live in the house for an entire year and alone owed the sorority $3,000 over the course of her membership. While to a certain extent a sorority is responsible for enforcing payments and limiting spending, they need a strong advisor to come in and regulate the budget.

Funny thing is, our former advisor quite right before the chapter closed and received a promotion among internationals.

bruinaphi · #10 05-27-2003, 02:29 AM

Watchcare is not the responsibility of the advisor, it is the responsibility of the collegiates. The advisor and Alpha Phi International make sure that the collegiate chapter is well versed in what watchcare is and make sure that the proper risk management procedures are followed. It is up to the collegiates to make sure they have a watchcare system in place and lead by example.

It is not an advisor's job to be your chapter director of finance either. She can work with the chapter to develop the budget, and continually try to ensure that the chapter follows it, but the director of finance and each officer is in charge of making sure the chapter does not go over budget, pays their international dues and collects dues from chapter members.

It is really easy to blame things on advisors, but the reality is that officers need to take a lot more responsibility for their actions.