1. Prepare a chapter retreat.
World-class athletes get themselves “into the zone”
before they take the field. That’s what
a retreat can do for your chapter.
Retreats are not just all fun and games.
Good ones have a purpose, and I suggest the purpose be twofold: (1)
assess the previous year and (2) set goals for the coming year. Did you attend your organization’s convention
or leadership conference this past summer?
Here is a good chance to summarize some of the best of what you
learned. See this post for more ideas to
help you prepare a successful retreat.
Power tip: Invite your advisors and campus staff to help facilitate this retreat. They have the skillset to do this and would be honored to take part in something that’s so positive and forward-thinking.
2. Get the team back together.
Huddle up with your officer team as soon as you can to review early plans for the year. Likely there are some immediate needs in terms of finance and recruitment. It’s also a way to make sure they are as invested in the remainder of this year as you are.
Power tip: If you have the means, treat them to dinner (or coffee or ice cream) as part of this meeting. Show them how much you value their commitment and leadership.
3. Visit with your Greek Advisor.
Schedule a time early on to reconnect with your Greek Advisor in person. They remain your greatest supporter and advocate on campus. Besides just catching up, use this meeting as a way to update him/her on how you assessed the previous year and the goals you have for the coming year (great way to pass along the retreat output if you had that first). Be sure to thank the Greek advisor and ask him/her for any thoughts on how your chapter can perform strongly this year. Listen as much as you speak.
Power tip: Bring along a small token of appreciation. Maybe a food product from your hometown – nothing too elaborate or expensive. It’s just a nice courtesy that your advisor will appreciate. Also – be sure to compliment him/her on how tan and well-rested he/she looks!
4. Greet your brothers/sisters.
This one may be a challenge for the very large chapters, but it’s not impossible. Can you stretch yourself to personally say hello and shake the hand of every single member within the first two weeks of returning to campus? There is no greater show of leadership than personal interaction. It trumps any speech you can give or any decision you make. Perhaps tie this to an invitation to the first chapter meeting of the year, so that you can get some brothers/sisters reconnected who have drifted away. It’s easy to dismiss an email or phone message. It’s difficult to dismiss a personal greeting and invitation. Plus, it shows that you care about the most important thing any chapter president should care about – the members.
Power tip: If you have a chapter house, move in early so you can be there (and your other officers too) to help move in your brothers/sisters. Plus you can say hello to the parents and make sure they know who you are.
5. Hug your house manager.
He/she may need it this time of year.
Power tip: Don't let it linger.
6. Meet your chapter advisor for coffee.
For many of the same reasons you want to connect with your
Greek advisor, now’s a great time to build the relationship with your chapter
advisor. The reason I suggest coffee or
some other way that feels less procedural is because it immediately makes it a
more relational conversation. It also
shows maturity because that’s how many modern meetings are conducted between
colleagues these days.
Power tip: If you don’t already have a system in place, be sure to use this meeting as a way to establish a regular communication pattern with your advisor. And then stay strict to that – another sign of leadership maturity (don’t let your advisor ever wonder if you’ve vanished).
7. Prepare extra hard for the first chapter meeting.
Best wishes to a great start to the year, and thank you
for accepting the role of chapter president.
If you spend the time to do those things above, and be rigorous in your
preparation and planning, then you will find yourself more relaxed and able to
enjoy this experience. Ready, set, go!
Power tip: Invite your advisors and campus staff to help facilitate this retreat. They have the skillset to do this and would be honored to take part in something that’s so positive and forward-thinking.
2. Get the team back together.
Huddle up with your officer team as soon as you can to review early plans for the year. Likely there are some immediate needs in terms of finance and recruitment. It’s also a way to make sure they are as invested in the remainder of this year as you are.
Power tip: If you have the means, treat them to dinner (or coffee or ice cream) as part of this meeting. Show them how much you value their commitment and leadership.
3. Visit with your Greek Advisor.
Schedule a time early on to reconnect with your Greek Advisor in person. They remain your greatest supporter and advocate on campus. Besides just catching up, use this meeting as a way to update him/her on how you assessed the previous year and the goals you have for the coming year (great way to pass along the retreat output if you had that first). Be sure to thank the Greek advisor and ask him/her for any thoughts on how your chapter can perform strongly this year. Listen as much as you speak.
Power tip: Bring along a small token of appreciation. Maybe a food product from your hometown – nothing too elaborate or expensive. It’s just a nice courtesy that your advisor will appreciate. Also – be sure to compliment him/her on how tan and well-rested he/she looks!
4. Greet your brothers/sisters.
This one may be a challenge for the very large chapters, but it’s not impossible. Can you stretch yourself to personally say hello and shake the hand of every single member within the first two weeks of returning to campus? There is no greater show of leadership than personal interaction. It trumps any speech you can give or any decision you make. Perhaps tie this to an invitation to the first chapter meeting of the year, so that you can get some brothers/sisters reconnected who have drifted away. It’s easy to dismiss an email or phone message. It’s difficult to dismiss a personal greeting and invitation. Plus, it shows that you care about the most important thing any chapter president should care about – the members.
Power tip: If you have a chapter house, move in early so you can be there (and your other officers too) to help move in your brothers/sisters. Plus you can say hello to the parents and make sure they know who you are.
5. Hug your house manager.
He/she may need it this time of year.
Power tip: Don't let it linger.
6. Meet your chapter advisor for coffee.
For many of the same reasons you want to connect with your
Greek advisor, now’s a great time to build the relationship with your chapter
advisor. The reason I suggest coffee or
some other way that feels less procedural is because it immediately makes it a
more relational conversation. It also
shows maturity because that’s how many modern meetings are conducted between
colleagues these days. Power tip: If you don’t already have a system in place, be sure to use this meeting as a way to establish a regular communication pattern with your advisor. And then stay strict to that – another sign of leadership maturity (don’t let your advisor ever wonder if you’ve vanished).
7. Prepare extra hard for the first chapter meeting.
Many times, this first meeting of the semester is the one
of the most well-attended. Spend time
preparing so that it comes off as professional, efficient, and effective. Don’t shy away from a little humor and fun in
this meeting as well. If you want
members to come back, they need to see value to the experience.
Power tip: Start the meeting with an open forum for members to share the best thing that happened to them over the summer. Don’t be too cautious with what’s shared and how – let the personality of the group take over. You’re likely to find laughs and applause as a result.
Power tip: Start the meeting with an open forum for members to share the best thing that happened to them over the summer. Don’t be too cautious with what’s shared and how – let the personality of the group take over. You’re likely to find laughs and applause as a result.
Come into the year with a positive midset. Set goals for yourself and for your chapter. You joined an organization so you have to balance extracurricular activities along with school. You get out what you put in.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Lubin
Louisiana
University of Louisiana at Lafayetter Greek community