Seeking Presidency....

[MissOh2Cute]

Hi yall!! I am currently VP of Recruitment for my chapter and with elections and slating coming up, I have my eye (and heart!) set on Chapter President. I am coming into my 3rd year in Alpha Phi (well maybe, I'm a junior who pledged first semester freshman year....and very bad at math!) I was wondering if any of yall have been Chapter President or just have any insight/advice? I have wanted to do it since Freshman year and with the backing of quite a few of my sisters I am determined!! Our chapter is on the smaller side (campus total = 60, 5 chapters) but I knwo it will still be difficult!

What was the HARDEST part about being chapter president? Most rewarding? Any big mistakes you made that you wish you hadn't? Or anything else you want to add....I really want to make sure I can do the best at this position before I 100% run for it and would love to hear any funny/interesting/meaningful learning experiences!!


Love In Alpha Phi.....aoe!
Shelby

[Lovely_gurl]

Originally posted by MissOh2Cute
What was the HARDEST part about being chapter president? Most rewarding? Any big mistakes you made that you wish you hadn't? Or anything else you want to add....I really want to make sure I can do the best at this position before I 100% run for it and would love to hear any funny/interesting/meaningful learning experiences!!


Love In Alpha Phi.....aoe!
Shelby

Shelby,
Good luck in your upcoming elections! First, it sounds like you are an experienced leader in your chapter, so I hope that you also choose to run for a "back up" position in leadership IF you do not win. Chapters need strong leaders everywhere, not just in the president's role.

That said, I think the hardest part about being president is the first time you realize that you can't please everyone all of the time. The next hardest thing is that sometimes it is lonely at the top...because you have to be the one to keep your head and respond and react with the coolest head, even when all you want to do is lose it!

The most rewarding part, I think, is leading the chapter toward achieving new and challenging goals! It's supporting your officers in striving for more than status quo...and then looking back and knowing that you did everything you could to not just be the best, but to leave things BETTER than they were when you found them! (As president, I wish I had done MORE to shake things up and to encourage our chapter to move to the next level.) You have one shot and one opportunity to leave your mark! (*Now I sound like Eminem! haha! )

Best of luck!!!

P.S. Also...You didn't ask for "advice"....but thought I would throw in the handy suggestion of READ, READ, READ all the Alpha Phi manuals you can get your hands on over the Christmas Break! The CCOM, P&P...all GOOD stuff that will pretty much let you know right away if your chapter is doing these "according to policy"....because you would be surprised how many chapters operate only on their own traditions, or because that's the way they've always done things. Officer Transition is your time to really educate your officers about what their positions can really do for the chapter!!

[DawnAPhi]

I was president of my A-Phi chapter 2 years ago. Now, I have graduated and got a "real" job. You would be amazed at how much being president taught me! I learned so many things from the position that I now use in my everyday work. It is a great opportunity for anyone to be president of their chapter. You just have to be willing to do some hard work! But, at the same time, you can't let the position take control of you. The first semester I was president, I think I was working almost too hard at the position, because I let my grades slip a little. So, my advice is that if you are president, make sure you have balance between Alpha Phi and your school work! Good luck!

[MissOh2Cute]

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry! I feel like the worst person ever I completely forgot I had posted this!

Wellllll as it turns out....I WON!!! I'm the new Chapter President for Epsilon Eta! I ended up being slated for the position, which was a bit comforting and I had to run against another sister nominated off the floor. Let me tell you, those 5 minutes waiting to find out seemed like FOREVER!!! But I won and things are going extremely well!!!

I'm very very close with the old President and I look up to her a lot so I know I can run to her in the middle of the night and cry my eyes out if need be, but so far it's going pretty well! My new exec is FABULOUS and the morale of the chapter has completely done a 180 and everything seems positive! I just hope it stays that way!

Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice and encouragement and support! Don't let it go anywhere....I'll need it allllll year long!

[SATX*APhi]

Congratulations!!

[bsp-mich24]

Congrats!!

[Jill1228]

Shelby, congrats on your election!

[Maharet]

Congratulations!

All of what your on-line sisters said is valid and comes from the heart.

A few words of sisterly loving wisdom from and 'older' A-Phi alum who's been a CP, social chair, an adviser, alum President and is a regional team member...

Delegate to all your board members the tasks that need to be done to make the chapter strong. When individual women come to you with what ever situation they have encountered, reassure them you are there to help and then direct their specific concerns and needs to the appropriate VP...

When you go to your regional conference, take advantage of all the breakout sessions for your specific position, talk with other new/current CP's in your area and establish a good communicating relationship with your Chapter Advisor. She is there for you no matter what and even if you don't always see eye to eye, establish a mutual trust and know the chapters' best interest is at heart. Share not only the ridiculously maddening times, but the delightfully good ones as well.

Also know when to take time for yourself as a woman and to let go a bit of being an Alpha Phi. You will have a tremendous amount of responsibility this is in addition to the rewards that accompany being CP. Keep a level head at all times - rejoice and 'cry' when appropriate and in an appropriate manner...Learn to pick you battles.

If you are unsure of ANYTHING whatsoever, it is ok to say "I'm not sure...give me some time to figure it out..." and refer to your advisors as well as the manuals available to you at your chapter.

Oh, I could go on, but I think I have said enough...I was CP when my chapter was a colony and I wish I had the knowledge then that I do now...then again don't we all!!!

All the best.

AOE Maharet aka J.

[TxAPhi]

A belated congrats to you, MissOh2Cute!

Let us know how it is going and what you have learned so far
And if you learn some great new things at your Regional Conference!