[This piece was written by WatchTheYard.com Guest Writer, Alexzandria Chill]
The beginning of the school year can be really hectic. You’re attending “Welcome Back” festivities. You’re learning and revising class schedules. The Financial Aid Office can’t seem to get your scholarships together. And let’s not forget, it’s chapter meeting time.
Yes, your beloved chapter meetings. Neos and Prophytes alike are ready to get the year started right! And in order to do that, we’ve drafted up a simple How-To guide that will earn you Dynamic Chapter of the Year. So here we go:
DETERMINE YOUR CHAPTER’S VISION FOR THE YEAR
Your chapter is more than a social fraternity or sorority. Managing a Greek organization’s day to day operations takes hard work. You are literally running a business. Developing a thorough game plan for your business makes achieving your goals easier and more feasible.
- Project Management: For the upcoming year, set tangible goals and deadlines for your chapter. Institute a subset of goals/ checkpoints for each major goal established. To organize each project, create a chapter account on a project management website like Asana. Asana allows you to plan and organize projects, assign tasks to chapter members, send project reminders, upload and download important documents and collaborate with committee members. You can give an up-to-date project reports by printing out your individual tasks list. Using an online tool like Asana will help you hold each other accountable. It also helps you execute your event planning in a smooth and organized manner
- Post Event Evaluations: After each event, evaluate and document the outcome. What went well at your event? What things needed improvement? How could you make this event better? This kind of feedback helps you stay on track with your goals and assess what needs to be done next time. Keep all post event evaluations on file online and in a folder. It will serve as a reference for your future members when they’re planning the same event.
GET TO KNOW YOUR MEMBERS
Getting to know your brothers and sisters takes more than a remembering national, chapter and individual information for a few weeks. A dynamic, Greek chapter acknowledges each members’ character traits, talents, and skillsets. Utilizing your chapter members’ strengths boost chapter moral, increases productivity, refines professional skills and gives each member a chance to show their value.
- Levels of Social Skills: Not everyone is going to be front and center in a strut line. Be respectful of the extroverts as well as the introverts. It’s okay to challenge each other to step out of their boundaries. It’s not okay to harass each other. Find ways to play to each other’s social strengths. Someone who might not be a huge people person may be great with numbers. Let that person handle the books and let that be his/her role. If you’re lacking in members, then getting that person a little push won’t hurt. But remember, encourage them, don’t harass and be an ass.
- Talents and Skillsets: Each chapter member has their own special forte. Before you assign anyone to any project, look at your current event lists and determine what kind of traits/ skills you’ll need to complete this project. Then distribute a characteristic trait/skillset questionnaire to your chapter members. It doesn’t have to be extensive. When they finish, compare it to your list and see who would be the best fit for that project/committee. When you match people up with assignments they’ll enjoy, the more successful your event will be.
- Be Aware of How You Work With Others: Just because you’re in the same organization doesn’t mean everything is going to be Kumbaya all the time. Some folks just won’t click. That’s life. In our past blog, 99 on my line, we came to the realization that it’s best to accept your chapter relationships as they are. At the same time, you MUST be respectful of ALL individuals. Introduce your chapter to different learning/ working styles. Offering a perspective of the different work styles can help members be more understanding and tolerant of each other.
- Weaknesses – Fill with Prospects: So you’ve identified everyone’s talents. You’re aware of everyone’s social skills. You know how well they everyone works with each other. But there’s still something missing. Just write it down. Take note of the TYPES of people you STILL need in your chapter in order to reach your maximum potential. When it’s time to take in prospects, you have a definitive list of skills and characteristic traits you need ready. This makes the selection process a little easier and more productive.
We hope you found these points useful. The Dynamic Chapter Guideline Part 2 is coming soon. Until then, have a great semester everyone!
This piece was written by Alexzandria Chill | UNT Graduate. Marketing Freak. Frankie Bev Fanatic. Adamant Knowledge Seeker. Lady of ZPHIB [Pearl Clu5]. Founder of Blog: @DPTaughtMe
Title Picture Credit: @wreckincrew1974