So You Think You Want to be on Your Sorority’s Executive Council?

Happy Election Season, sisters! I have such vidid memories of this time of year in my own sorority experience: from the quiet whispers among small groups throughout the house scheming who should be the next president to seeing members go all in on committee tasks to demonstrate their commitment to the chapter to the nervous panic of outgoing officers about who would replace them. The truth is – sorority elections often mirrors sorority recruitment: if we do not get ahead of it, unhealthy thoughts of competition and comparison tend to creep in.

I want you to consider right now WHY you want to be a sorority leader. Has someone reached out to you and planted the idea that you’d be a great *insert exec position here*? Or are you one of those who’s known you want to be on executive council since you joined your chapter on Bid Day? Here’s the deal: getting honest with your why NOW gives you time to ensure that your motivations will sustain your leadership potential throughout your future term! Your chapter & communities is desperate for HEALTHY & PREPARED leaders. Now is the time to reset your reasons for running & give yourself a mindset that will support you & your chapter an impactful leader.

So right now, ask yourself: “am I running for this position because…

Find your reason below and ask yourself the questions that follow to check your mindset before elections.

Desiring leadership experience and the opportunity to be impactful in your chapter is a GOOD THING! Channel this energy into being open minded about the various ways you could benefit the chapter or council – they need YOU and your passion to sustain the vision! Have you considered that you do not need to be in a titled role to be a leader?  If you are not slated or elected into a position that you imagined –  you will still be a leader, able to drive change, offer perspective, and grow your sisterhood! Don’t undermine the impact of titleless leaders

1. Do I believe that I am already a leader without a position?

2. Am I truly committed to being a leader in my chapter or am I more excited about the trusted responsibility & honor of being on the executive council?

3. Are there other positions in the chapter that I could have my desired impact beyond the one I am most interested in? 

Sis, LOVE the confidence but let’s balance that with some sincere sisterhood rooted in humility. While I am confident that you have the skills necessary to lead in this role and the encouragement you have received to run is true encouragement from sisters, this mindset will not sustain you under the pressures & challenges that will inevitably come in your term.

The truth is – the chapter gets to decide who is the best for the position. 

It’s vulnerable to put yourself out there without the certainty of getting to make an impact in the way you’re hoping. But, in the same way that you agreed to be in a sisterhood with them, you can trust your sisters to make the best decision.

1.  Who are the other sisters running for this position? Consider their strengths & contributions to the chapter!

2.  What has the current officer in this role done well?

3.  How will you lead a committee of members with this mentality?

4. Would I still support this area of the chapter if I wasn’t elected into the position? Would I support the sister who was elected instead of me?

It’s likely that you love your chapter because you’ve been greatly impacted by the sorority experience created by past or outgoing officers. Running for a leadership position because you love what you’ve experienced, feel ownership in your sisterhood, and want to contribute to it are motivators that WILL SUSTAIN your leadership! But before elections, be sure to consider where your skillset could be best utilized AND what sacrifices those positions entail. Officers, of course, must love their chapter but, they must also know how to prioritize their time (personal, academic, and sorority), lead by example, and show up in big ways in all areas of the chapter.

1. What do you love most about your chapter? Is there a particular area that you would be most excited about contributing to? Would you continue to be involved in this area of the chapter if not elected?

2. How can you market your strengths to the chapter to gain their trust that your love for the chapter could be translated into impactful contribution in an officer position?

While your willingness to sacrifice is admirable, no member should start off a leadership position feeling like she’s “taking one for the team” or forced into leadership. This mindset is not fair to the chapter or yourself and you will inevitably get burned out trying to do something out of obligation. Serving is an honor and the idea should be highly sought after so try to engage in conversations that provoke others to consider the role.

If your chapter is in great need of women willing to take more ownership or responsibility in the chapter in officer positions, ask yourself the following questions. Sometimes the right thing to do is change your perspective to be a positive contributor in the chapter and other times the greatest gift you can give your sisterhood is saying no. 

• Do you have the time or emotional capacity to take on a leadership role in your chapter or community?

• What do you enjoy about this area of the chapter? Could you channel that passion into the position to change your mindset from obligation to excitement?

• What skillset or strengths are required for this position? Is there anyone else in the chapter who exhibits the ability to carry out this position well?

After asking yourself the questions under the motive you have for sorority leadership, I hope you agree that the reasons you are running for a leadership position MATTER! Reflecting on your WHY will protect you from burnout in a future officer position and your chapter from the instability that often comes with high leadership turnover. As a result of this reflection, my hope would be that you will STILL RUN for an officer position – just with a motivation that will sustain your leadership!