Field Consultants...

[1heart1way]

How does your org treat field consultants when they visit? Do you provide room and board, do they sleep on a couch? Do they go to social gatherings (alcohol present)? Do chapter members escort them around campus at all times?

We were chatting with our field consultant today, which is why I'm asking. She posed the question, "How do you think other sororities on campus treat their field consultants?" She was talking about how other orgs have their field consultants go to social stuff, and treat them somewhat informally.

[KSUViolet06]

We actually just had a Leadership Consultant visit last month. She was here for 4 days. She slept in our guest bedroom.

Consultants are busy, so she spent most of her time in the parlor on her laptop, phone, or meeting with committees and officers.

We didn't escort her anywhere, but if she needed to find something in our area (like a Wal Mart or dry cleaner), we gave her directions or drove her ourselves.

Our LC's are asked by nationals not to attend socials with chapters because they aren't part of that chapter and are there to serve in a leadership capacity.

She had dinner with the chapter every night. She worked out with girls at the Rec when she found out we had girls who worked out. She would tell us about fun things her chapter did while she was an active. But other than that, she was so busy having meetings, doing workshops with us, and helping us that at the end of the day, she really just wanted to sit and read, watch TV, or go to bed.

[honeychile]

We didn't have a house, so we would put our TCC in one of the private rooms. We kept flowers in her room, provided her with special linens, took her to dinner (or made it there), and were sure to ask her if she wanted company, or if she wanted to be left alone (for reports or whatever). Our alumnae would take her to dinner at least once while she was there, and also took care of airport arrangements.

Other ADPis will be shocked to know that, when Mrs. Madio was Province Director, our stoves weren't working, so I made dinner for her & few other sisters - chili from a popcorn popper!




ETA: Mrs. Madio's highest position was Grand International President! People get a kick out of my popcorn popper story when they know that - but she was so down home!!

[1heart1way]

How about a fraternity perspective on this??

I hear that fraternities treat their consultants much differently than sororities (more informally?)...

[Denise_DPhiE]

We have a standing document for all our chapters on how to host one. I was a consultant and 99% of my visits were all business with no free time for socials. I chose sleep over a night out. I met with lots of people during my visit and met with the women over meals etc. A consultant should have her own room which if there is no hosue, means a sister giving up her room for the few days of the visit. I gave up my single two years in a row for our consultant when I was a collegian. A small basket of goodies, bottled water, gum, campus map, etc are a nice welcome for your consultant in addition to clean towels

[jarodholt]

Usually when our consultants would come in we would take care of them pretty well. We kind of leave it up to the President to take care of him most of his visit when he is not slammed with meetings. Our last one, I gave up my room for him and slept on the couch and just made sure he ate when he was hungry and what not. I actually am about to start a ELC job with Lambda Chi Alpha and I am interested to see how other chapters treat consultants. I have heard different stories here and there. Some good and some bad. But I guess I am going to see some stories of my own...

[SoCalGirl]

I've known a couple of field consultants over the years. The number one complaint, or benefit depending on the person, is that the members can forget to field the consultant. So, please remember to feed your consultants! I think the members just forget that these consultants don't have the money to go out to eat and their a guest in someone's home so it's not like they'd just start making their own food.

Our chapter was unhoused so the President or the highest ranking officer who had her own bedroom would give up her bed and sleep on a couch. The consultant would be taken to a grocery store where the chapter would pay for what she needed and we'd usually have at least one sisterhood dinner for the consultant to see the whole chapter. Other than that it was all about making sure she had a ride to campus and that everyone showed up for their appoitments with her.

[DCDisney]

Our chapters are required to provide room and board. If there's no room for her, no empty dorm room, etc., they must pay for a nearby hotel, and must provide transportation to/from hotel and campus. They must provide chaperones to all meals that the LC chooses to eat. And they are required to provide transportation to/from the airport, or drive her to the next chapter if it is nearby.

Hope that helps.

[flirt5721]

Our chapters are required to provide room/board for the ELC(field consultant). We must also provide transportation to and from the airport. We are required to take them out to eat. In case someone forgets to feed the ELC, they have a (i think) credit card that nationals provides them so they can buy themselves some food. I think that if the chapter does not have a house they stay with the President or a member of the Exec. Council or at a local hotel.

[RG-SAM]

I served as a Field Rep (travel consultant) for SAM. I would be happy to answer any questions in a PM.

[WhiteDaisy128]

When our CDC (field consultants) come, we have lots of things to do to help them out:

• We give the CDC a complete calendar with all events marked (both chapter and NPC event.
• We provide them current copies of our bylaws and standing rules.
• We give them a complete contact sheet for all chapter officers and directors.
• We arrange meeting times for the CDC with all chapter officers and directors.
• If we have already had composites printed, we give her the most recent copy.
• We give her a campus map (incase she wants to venture out alone).
• We have someone meet the CDC at the bagage claim at the airport.
• We provide a private room in the sorority house for her to stay (usually the president gives her room up for the visit since it's the only single room in the house).
• We provide all bedding and a cute little basket laundry items (soap & dryer sheets).
• We always pick up a cute dish and cup for her if she wants to snack in the house.
• We have a meal schedule where two or three sisters take her out to (and pay for) every meal.
• We pick up a guest pass for the campus gym while she is here.
• But most importantly, even though we want to treat her well and provide everything she would need...we do remember she is not just a guest, but a sister!! So she is, of course, invited to any events that are happening during her stay. If she elects not to go to an event, we usually find a volunteer to go do something else with the CDC...like go to a movie, etc.

[sigtau305]

Originally Posted by 1heart1way

How about a fraternity perspective on this??

I hear that fraternities treat their consultants much differently than sororities (more informally?)...

As far as I know, Our Chapter Consultants are pretty much doing it on a volunteer basis. They have to provide for their lodging and any other Items, with the exception of gas money.

You're more than welcome to check Our Nationals' Website for more info on it.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by jarodholt

Usually when our consultants would come in we would take care of them pretty well. We kind of leave it up to the President to take care of him most of his visit when he is not slammed with meetings. Our last one, I gave up my room for him and slept on the couch and just made sure he ate when he was hungry and what not. I actually am about to start a ELC job with Lambda Chi Alpha and I am interested to see how other chapters treat consultants. I have heard different stories here and there. Some good and some bad. But I guess I am going to see some stories of my own...

Jarod, in Your case, we would bunk Your butt in the basement! Sleeping bag will be provided!

In most instances, when a Chapter has an ELC of LXA coming, a room or bed will be provided and an Active will bunk else where.

As our New House was not ready, Jason Holt, Jarods Brother/Brother and another Jarod S had to get a Motel. They were there for an extended amount of time for a rebuilding and recruiting period.
The main thing, is that IHQ paid for this. But, who pays for the money spent, We as Actives and Alums do.

Ergo, Taveling GLO reps should be put up at Chapter Houses and an Active bites the bullit!

I know I did when George S came down for Colonization and damn glad to have done it! Jarod, know who I am talking about? Yes, I go that far back and Duke Fladd was Exec.

One of the greatest experiences I had when I was travleling on Vacation with My Ex, the Brothers at U Tn. offered us a VIP room to stay in for the night.

That is class.

Take care of Your visitors and save money for You GLO!

Jarod, PM Me need to ask You about someone We know!

(IN ZAX)

[BSUPhiSig'92]

Our chapter, being geographically closest to our HQ, was often the consulatnts' first visit, so they could "get their feet wet." We always took great pride in our chapter hospitality, and were usually highly-regarded by visiting consultants and chapters on walkout.

When I was president of my chapter, we hosted a visit by a brand-new consultant. We were his first visit, and he stayed with us 3-4 days. I even made a big home-cooked meal (I'm a good cook ) and invited our exec, advisers, even the Greek Adviser. He went out with us (of legal age) to one of our favorite bars, a place that back in 1990 had Long Island Ice Teas on special. Well, we bought him a few rounds, and he started talking about "Man, these Indiana girls are HOT! It must be the corn!" So at some point, he starts buying rounds for us, girls, random people, etc. He's having a GREAT time, and is running a tab on his credit card. We naturally, didn't give a thought to this. He was a nice guy, gave us some good advice, and we had fun. His visit ended, his report was positive, and things were looking good. Until about a month later...

I get a phone call from the Executive Director at our HQ. He asks me if when our consultant was there, did we go with him to a place called Butterfield's. Not thinking anything about it, I answer "yes". Our ED proceeds to inform me that our consultant ran up a $150.00 tab at the bar on the HQ Corporate Card, and had been terminated!!!

Suffice to say, our HQ covered use of the corporate card much better in training after that, and we never let our consultants buy rounds for us again!