DECIDING TO BE A SORORITY CHAPTER LEADER

You joined a sorority and immediately got as involved as your possibly could. You attended events, assisted with recruitment, and when the time came around for slating, put your name down to accept a position. Over the past semester you have been identified by your chapter as a leader. You have made it to this point successfully, but you have your sights set on bigger positions - President, Recruitment Chair, Social Chair, etc. So how can you ensure that you will successfully transition into one of those roles?

Many times when we assume a leadership position it is all about how it will benefit us. We pull up our bootstraps and get the work done so when the time comes for slating we can state how we carried out our duties. This is great and wonderful, but not necessarily a good way to demonstrate that you care about the chapter over yourself.

Instead, begin now by focusing on your chapter's weaknesses that fall under your leadership position. As Panhellenic delegate, your chapter may have a problem getting along with other chapters. Work over the fall semester to really put out there to your community that you want to better relations by holding sisterhood events, sending flowers, and just talking with members from other chapters. If you are intramural chair, get out of your comfort zone and really focus on promoting health and exercise for your members rather than just getting them to sign up to be on the flag football teams. As sisterhood chair, really step out and tackled those issues that you have been afraid to address for fear that your will get lash back from your Sisters. In the end, this will not only make your chapter better, but will also demonstrate that you care about the members as well.

Really taking the effort to put your chapter before your personal gains is the best way that, as a leader, you can show that you want to do more. Other members will see this and remember you when it comes time for slating. 

Really assess what your areas of strength are when it comes to chapter positions. Don't just sign up to be slated for activities chair if you have more expertise in marketing. It can be hard to do, but keep in mind that you should genuinely want to help the chapter, not just want to be President.