The Real Job of a Chapter Leader

Real Life PerspectiveZina Badri: Former Chapter Founder, University of Michigan

Your Real Job

• Singlehandedly…• Accomplishing every task• Making every final decision• Coming up with every idea

• Planning an international project• Raising lots of money• Saving the world

What it’s NOT:

Your Real JobWhat it IS:

1. Being a liaison2. Supporting and leading3. Goal setting and prioritizing4. Building capacity in the chapter5. Representing Nourish responsibly

1. Being a LiaisonChapter Leaders

1. Being a LiaisonExecutive Board Members

1. Being a Liaison

• Formal Meetings:• Weekly calls • Chapter Coordinator—Chapter Leader

• Executive Board meetings• Committee Meetings

• Key points:• Preparedness to provide updates and important

information• Punctuality

Formal Communication Structures

1. Being a Liaison

• Informal Communication:• Emails• Phone calls• Text Message

• Key points:• CC others involved on emails• Read emails• Respond promptly• Be flexible

Informal Communication Methods

2. Supporting and Leading

• Focus on supporting/leading your Executive Board or committee members • Do not hold their hand or complete every task personally

• Why this is important:• Provides the group with the resources it needs to succeed• Cultivates future leaders• Allows you to efficiently oversee chapter’s work without

getting bogged down with details

Benefits

2. Supporting and LeadingWhat it looks like:

2. Supporting and LeadingSteps to provide effective constructive feedback:

3. Setting and Achieving Goals

• Keeping an eye on the “now” and “later”• Establish priorities• Communicating what we have to do to get there

4. Building Capacity

• Sustainability—ensuring that your chapter outlives you

• Lay the groundwork for future success• Keep record of your work• Identify leadership potential in others and

cultivate it• Develop systems for leadership transition

5. Keeping Your Chapter Responsible

• Ensure that chapter follows laws, school rules, and Nourish policies.

• Ensure that chapter activities are ethical and responsible.

The way that we represent Nourish is important.

5. Keeping Your Chapter Responsible

• Conduct of the chapters and its members reflects upon Nourish as an organization

• Maintaining campus charter• Ensures overall chapter integrity and long-

term success

Why this is important:

Fulfilling Your Job

1. Managing conflict2. Leading effective meetings3. Defining success

Three skills that will help you fulfill your job:

Managing Conflict

Leading Effective Meetings

Defining Success

• Important to keep in mind: • Going from 60-64—not 0-100

• Milestones• Participation, Profitability, Projects• Establish a baseline: where do things stand?• Set goals: where do you want to get this year?• Determine next steps: what are the priorities

moving forward?

The definition of success is different for each of you.