Leadership Handout Series

GETTING STARTED AS A LEADER

CONGRATULATIONS! You have just been elected as a student leader; you’re feeling great! And‚ at times‚ a bit scared‚ right? You’ve finally received the position that you’ve wanted for so long and perhaps you’re experiencing a little bit of doubt. You want to give it your all and be the BEST officer that your organization has ever elected. You want everything to be perfect the first time with no mistakes made by you or the other officers. Nice intentions‚ but as we all know‚ highly unrealistic. People are fallible; mistakes will inevitably be made. Here is some information to get you started so that you may avoid some of the common pitfalls in your new position. So‚ relax‚ get comfortable and read on!

DOWN TO FUNDAMENTALS

When:

You are registered with the Office of Student Activities (356 Shriver Center), you may be eligible for or have access to:

• Mail boxes in SA&L office
• Office Space on campus (e.g. Fd Ct Hallway‚ activities fair‚ etc.)
• Meeting space on campus
• Funding from Assoc. Student Gov’t

You want to learn more about effective leadership:

• Check into leadership classes for credit as well as leadership conferences.
• Utilize the Leadership Resource Room‚ 377 Shriver.

Your organization has a treasurer:

• Has s/he updated your financial books?
• Has s/he contacted the Student Organization Auditor at 529-7227?

Your organization has a historian:

• Have the outgoing officers given a report to him or her?

Your organization has a secretary:

• Does s/he have everything s/he needs from the previous secretary (e.g. meeting minutes, etc.)?

You would like to have a smooth running organization:

• Do the officers have written descriptions of their responsibilities from the outgoing officers? Are the descriptions completely understood?
• Do you have a copy of your organization’s constitution?

You want to get in touch with your organization’s members:

• You must have their correct addresses and telephone numbers. Remember to get their summer addresses‚ too.

You want to reserve a campus facility or room in a campus building, contact:

Office of Student Activities (ext. 2266)
Western Lodge
WRA Cabin
Shriver 373 — seats 18 people
Shriver 377 — seats 16 people

All other Shriver Center Areas
Kumler Chapel
Sesquicentennial Chapel
Shriver Center (ext. 4031)

Campus Classrooms and auditoriums
Registrar (ext. 7007)

Climer Guest Lodge
Simpson Guest House
Murstein Alumni Center (ext. 1279)

Peffer Park
Murstein Alumni Center (ext. 5211)

Dogwood Grove
Campus Services (ext. 6786)

Marcum Conference Center 529-6911
Inn 529-2104

For other scheduling needs please refer to the front section of the Miami University Directory (Offices and Services section).

DECIDING ON A STYLE OF LEADERSHIP

The style of leadership that you choose will have a tremendous impact on you organization. You want to develop a style that you feel comfortable with and that will motivate the members of your organization to achieve the group’s goals. What might prove helpful is to examine the styles of the previous officers. Write down what you like and dislike about the method in which goals were or were not achieved‚ and why. By doing so‚ you can discover what you believe is important to the organization. For instance:

• Are you people-oriented (concerned mainly with how your members are doing, how they feel)?
• Or are you task-oriented (concerned with what your members are doing, are group goals being reached)?
• Do you place fellowship (camaraderie) high in your priorities?
• What would you suggest the group goals to be?
• Do you feel all the other members should have input in deciding the organization’s goals? Or just the group's officers?
• How will goals be achieved? By setting up different committees (e.g. social committee‚ rush committee‚ blood drive committee‚ etc.)?
• Is officer cohesiveness important to you?
• Ultimately, which style (i.e.‚ “tell and have done”‚ participative, etc.) — in your judgment would help the organization accomplish its goals most effectively in each situation?

Hopefully this handout has helped you to feel more prepared for your upcoming responsibilities. You can face your position as a student leader with anticipation and confidence! Remember that others elected you because they believed you possessed the ability to do well. Knowing that should make believing in yourself easier. Emerson once said‚

“self-trust is the first secret of success.”

And he was right. So‚ relax‚ be yourself‚ believe in yourself and enjoy the challenge! Other recommended Handouts include time management‚ active listening‚ delegating responsibility‚ and giving effective feedback.