Department Name (View > Master > Slide Master to edit)
Presentation Title (View > Master > Slide Master to edit)
Building a Strong Executive BoardIllinois State UniversityPRSSA National Conference, San Francisco, Calif.
Chapter Development Session
Introduction• Who we are• Why we changed from the election process• What we do• Why it works• How you can start• What you do can do NOW
Who We Are• Kaitie Ries- President, 2011-12 VP• Lisa Crocco- Vice President• Kyle Slamans- National Liaison • Kelsey Carey- Treasurer• Bruce Kennedy- Secretary• Kim Nowlan- Historian• Dr. Pete Smudde, APR, Faculty Adviser• 104 dues-paying member Chapter of varying majors
Why We Moved Away from the Election Process
Wrong reasons
Didn’t want to run against a friend
Worried it was a
popularity contest
What We Do• Application (one PDF file)
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two optional letters of recommendations from members
• Candidate must list top three preferred positions
• Restrictions (current e-board members)
• Cannot see applications
• Cannot be part of the selection process
• Locked out of the email account for fairness
What We Do• Interview
• Non-running e-board members & Faculty Adviser in the
room
• Types of questions
• Position-specific
• Behavioral questions
• General leadership & management issues
• Candidate is asking if they’d be willing to take a different
position if offered
What We Do• Selection
• Group discussion process
• Weigh positions and credentials
• Determine if candidate is better suited for a different
position
• Notify all interview candidates on whether or not
they received a position
What We Do• Contract
• Required for accountability
• Basic expectations:
• Must attend all meetings, National Conference,
Regional Conference, networking dinners, tours,
socials, philanthropic events, etc.
• Must obtain excused absence from the president if
there’s a conflict
What We Do• Excused absences
• Serious illness
• Event planned before a PRSSA event was scheduled
• Family emergency
• Uncontrollable circumstances (car trouble, etc)
• Unexcused absences
• Homework/test the next day
• Work
• Party/concert/social event
• Other club/organization event
What We Do• Training
• Meet with predecessor
• Receive a USB drive
• Discuss responsibilities
• Predecessor gives advice based on their term
• Combined e-board meeting
• Update the strategic plan to inform incoming e-board of goals
• E-board shadows
• Members can attend an e-board meeting to learn about the commitment
• Mentor-mentee program
What We Do• Performance Management
• Evaluations• All e-board positions and president
• President discusses with Faculty Adviser– Confidential to other e-board members
• Discuss strengths and areas of improvement
• E-board members evaluate the president
360-degree feedback
Director
Committee Chair
E-board Adviser
• All leadership positions are evaluated on their
work
• E-board advisers evaluate directors
• Directors evaluate committee chairs
• Directors and committee chairs evaluate e-
board advisers
What We Do
WeeklyPresident & Adviser
MonthlyTreasurer & Adviser
Weekly E-board
WeeklyChapter
• Meetings• Frequent meetings for clear communication and planning
• Weekly• President and Adviser• Executive Board• Chapter
• Monthly• Treasurer and Adviser
What We Do• Surveys (we use SurveyMonkey.com)
• Executive board
• E-board only, president only sees it
• 10 questions, multiple choice
• One open-ended at the end
• President evaluates and finds solutions
• All Chapter members
• Members also survey the Chapter’s performance
• Both current and incoming e-boards review the data
What We Do• Documentation
• E-board handbook & flash drive is central (none prior to fall 2010)
• Includes core documents to running the Chapter
• National documents, University documents, E-board
documents
• Required use for all e-board members
• Available for all Chapter members/other Chapters
• Archive all past emails to use as a reference
Why It Works
• Better for members
• Eliminates the “If e-board doesn’t come to events, why
should I?” attitude
• Better for e-board candidates
• Good practice for submitting a resume and interviewing
• Better for accountability
• Allows us to rely on each other and work well
Our Next Steps• Continuous improvement is key
• Better, enhanced training results in better leaders
• Leadership workshop• Learn about types of leaders and followers
• Analyzed ways the Chapter and e-board could improve
• E-board retreats• Examples: pizza party, game night, team-
building activity at the Rec, go to dinner, etc
What You Can Do NOW1. Incorporate surveys
2. Conduct evaluations
3. Invest in USB drives
4. Have an e-board team building activity
5. Enforce a 24-hour response rate
6. Meet with e-board and Faculty Adviser
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: PRSSA- Illinois State University
Twitter: @ILSTUPRSSA
Website: communication.illinois state.edu/prssa