Rule 23: You must mediate conflict

Help steer the conversation toward resolution.

1. Keep the conversation on point. When one or both parties starts talking in circles, you can summarize their points and steer the conversation in a healthy direction.

2. Make sure the conversation is not confrontational. You can do this by stressing the goal of the conversation - to make sure both sides are happy with the resolution. Asking each participant what it would take to resolve the issue is a good way to keep the conversation productive.

3. You need to remain positive and encouraging. The individuals going through the conflict are in the middle of a stressful situation. They probably don't want to be there, and the meeting can quickly go downhill if you cannot keep it positive.

4. Make sure emotions are kept in check. Set ground rules that neither party can get angry or blame the other party for what happened. Everyone is going to focus on the facts of what happened and work together to find a resolution. You cannot properly mediate if people are angry or emotional. It is important that you keep both parties in line.

5. Finally, realize that it is OK for the parties to disagree as long as both acknowledge and understand why there is a disagreement. A potential outcome may be to find mutual understanding. Sometimes parties simply have to understand their differences.

Being a conflict mediator is tough. It is definitely one of the thankless jobs of a chapter president.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”

by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com
  

If you had forgotten.... Excuses

Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent.
Used to build monuments of nothingness.
Those who excel in it seldom excel in anything else but excuses.

Rule 53: What is your vision?

A big part of your role as president is to communicate your chapter's vision and plans. You can only succeed at communicating a vision by having real conversations with your members. This is the only way to get members to buy in. Conversations give members the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns. It also shows them that you genuinely care about their opinions. Conversations give you the opportunity to explain the vision completely, leaving nothing open to interpretation. You get to share the excitement you have, and excitement is infectious.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”

by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com

Rule 2: You must graduate from college

You must manage your academics. In my first semester as chapter president, I made a 2.0 - straight Cs. I was so excited about finally being president that I neglected my academic responsibilities. The problem was that this was a critical semester for me academically. I was just getting into the core classes for my major, and the rest of my academic career built on what I was supposed to have learned that semester. This made the rest of college a struggle for me, as I did not have a good foundation in the core classes. Don't make the same mistake I did.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”
by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com
  

Rule 34: The Chapter meeting

The purpose of your meeting is to disseminate information and vote on key issues. The meeting should be designed to increase the goodwill of the chapter. Everything else will just pollute the meeting and should not be included.  There are two parts to a chapter meeting, the preparation and the execution.  The actual meeting must have a set start time and end time. Begin the meeting exactly at the start time out of respect to those who showed up on time. Do not repeat information for those who come late. It is the job of the president to make sure that meeting does not run past the stated end time. Again, realize that the meeting is primarily an information session. As such, don't let the brothers or sisters debate decisions during the chapter meeting. Calmly suggest that they speak to the committee chairperson after the meeting. The debates should take place in committee meetings. That is their purpose.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”
by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com

Rule 16: The importance of the Ritual

The ritual is the set of values and ideals that members are supposed to follow every day. The ritual is part of our heritage and tradition. It is what makes us different from the other organizations on campus. It is our guide to becoming better people. As president, you play a key role in making sure your organization lives up to your ritual.  As president, be sure you understand the ritual and make a point to live it. Make sure the ritual is reflected in the actions of your members and the events of your chapter. Teach others the ritual, and encourage them to make the lessons of the founders an important part of their lives. If you do, you will have a strong chapter that will encourage growth in your members.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”

by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com

  

February 21st Black Tie Film Festival - Jurupa Tristone Theater, Riverside, CA

Fans of former Hollywood star and the first Western Regional Director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. the Honorable Bro. Clarence Muse, are fundraising to place his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Please join the Clarence Muse Hollywood Walk of Fame Project for two upcoming fundraisers.  The first on February 21, 2014 Black Tie "retro" Film Festival at the Jurupa Tristone Theater (8032 Limonite Ave, Riverside, CA 92509) doors open at 6PM and conclude at 10:30PM.  Tickets are $75 regular and $125 VIP.

Tickets can be purchased from the Riverside African American Historical Society at P.O Box 92502 or through PayPal at www.raahsinc.org

contact: cgivensbullock@yahoo.com

http://morethanyouneededtoknow.typepad.com/the_unsung_joe/2007/12/clarence-muse.html

Rule 22: Do the Right Thing

When your chapter screws up, be sure to take control of the situation. That means owning up to your mistakes. Remember, it is always better for the Greek life office to find out about problems in your chapter from you, rather than from other sources.  If the situation requires you to report yourself, be sure you are equipped with a clear understanding of why the incident occurred and what you are going to do in the future to ensure it doesn't happen again. Being equipped with a solution to lapses in the risk-management program shows maturity and strength in your leadership. Always strive to be part of the solution.

“The Chapter President –Preparing Sorority and Fraternity Leaders for the Unexpected”
by Patrick Daley
thefraternityadvisor.com