Thanksgiving week is a special time of year! The former pastor of my church would share his ABCs of Thanksgiving each November. I always enjoyed that sermon, especially as he would mix it up from year to year – except for “N”, which was always NASCAR. So, I thought I would share what I am thankful for in student leadership:
Attitude: The attitude we bring every day as students and advisors makes a difference for us as leaders and the students that we serve.
Boards: Many students take their first steps into a life time of leadership by serving on a board of officers for SGA, Campus Activities, Greek Life, or various clubs and organizations.
Clubs: Where else can students develop their leadership skills, try new things, fail with little risk, and grow as a leader?
Delegation: Good leaders delegate to get other students involved in reaching the goals of the club/organization – sure you could do it faster and easier yourself. But, would it be better?
Engagement: The most important thing that student leaders do is engage other students on campus in activities, student governance, programs, service, events, clubs and organizations.
Free Speech: The foundation of all student leadership is allowing students to engage in debate, discussion, and dissent with one another and the foundations of higher education.
G.P.A.: You are a student leader because you are in college, not the other way around – take care of your academics as the first priority.
Higher Education: Advanced learning in a collegiate atmosphere is the incubator for student thought and leadership action on college campuses.
Integrity: A character trait so important it is the only one on this list. If students get nothing else from being a leader on campus, but get this, then they have been a successful leader. Integrity is not negotiable!
Just a member: There is no such thing! Being a member is the most important role any student can play in a club or organization. The power of leadership rests in the members!
Know-how: Student leadership introduces leadership skills in an experiential way that most students cannot get in class, but will certainly need in any future careers or endeavors.
Leadership: Student leadership opportunities are among the best ways for students to develop their leadership skills and abilities both to find their way in the world and to affect change.
Motivation: The encouragement we need to do what we do and how we get things done is accomplished by motivating ourselves and others.
Nominations: The first step to student leadership is to be nominated to be a leader; there’s nothing like the excitement that comes from hearing your named called!
Others: Student leaders place others above themselves, not to their detriment, but by looking at the big picture and what is best for everyone.
Programming Board: Regardless of what it is called from campus to campus, this group finds different ways to get students engaged so they can become active at the school.
Quorum: This is the number of members of the body that must be present to conduct business. It is a reminder that the club or organization belongs to the all of the members and not just those with titles.
Robert’s Rules of Order: Parliamentary procedure is how things get done on campus in student government, the programming board, Greek Life, and in clubs and organizations. You do not have to be an expert, but a working knowledge keeps organizations running smoothly.
Student Government: The governing body on campus speaks for those who do not know how to have their voice heard and watches out for the best interests of the most important element of higher ed – students!
Trust: The essential part of student leadership is to have the trust of those that you lead. It is not given, it is earned and real student leaders earn the trust of others every day.
Understanding: The knowledge that no one person has all the answers, that leaders must come together to solve problems, take action, and create a…
Vision: …vision for the club and/organization which lays out the path to the achievement of the goals important to every member, leader, and advisor and fulfills the mission that motivated everyone to come together in the first place.
What’s in it for me? True student leaders do not ask “What’s in it for me?”, but rather ask “What can I do for you?”
Xeroxing: Student leaders must duplicate themselves for their clubs and organizations to thrive and survive. This also means identifying and tapping future leaders on the shoulder and encouraging them to serve. Someone did this for you, didn’t they?
Your Transition: Prepare for a smooth transition to new leadership after the term is done by sharing resources, contacts, and all objectives and projects not completed by the outgoing board.
Zaniness: I left this for last because above all other things, student leadership must be fun! Create an environment where students enjoy what they are doing, love the people they work with, and grow in their own abilities and they will accomplish amazing things on your campus!
Want more of this kind of content and attitude for your students from an experienced leader, advisor, and speaker? You can email me at DaveKelly@GonzoSpeaks.com or call me at 770-552-6592. Booking me will not break the bank – check out my Affordable Pricing Model for a quote! I look forward to serving your students!