Officer Transition Tips

Congratulations on your election to serve as an officer in your Alpha Lambda Delta chapter! By accepting this leadership position, you are laying the groundwork for future responsibilities that you may tackle in your professional life. You should be proud of your accomplishments so far and excited about things to come!

We want you to know that you are supported 100% by the National Headquarters of Alpha Lambda Delta. If you ever have any problems with the chapter or questions that you can’t find an answer to, just contact us! We are here to help you!

We want to provide a few suggestions for your transition as the new chapter officer. These tips will help to get your chapter off on the right foot for the year.

  1. Plan a retreat for all chapter officers and advisors. Plan the retreat for this spring or perhaps for the summer. The chapters that function most successfully are the ones who have officers that communicate and good communication comes with getting to know one another. Plan a weekend, or even just an evening, where the officers can get together to talk about things to come. Brainstorm together for chapter activities. Discuss national deadlines and procedures. Let this be a time of learning about each officer’s personality.
     
  2. Set goals, both personal and for the chapter. What do you want to accomplish in your position as a chapter officer? Maybe you would like to be the one to lead the group towards your first Order of the Torch victory or maybe you would like to be the one who develops a fool-proof accounting system to keep track of the chapter’s funds. It is up to you. What would you like for the chapter to accomplish? Perhaps membership numbers have been down and you would like for the chapter to work towards increasing visibility on your campus, thus increasing membership interest. Or maybe you would like to see more member involvement. These are goals that an entire chapter should work together to accomplish.
     
  3. Communicate with each member! Set up a list serve with everyone’s e-mail address. Send out frequent up-dates so that members who may have missed the last meeting know what’s going on. Remind them of up-coming deadlines and events. You would be surprised at how many chapter members do not know what their local chapter is involved in. A brief e-mail to all members could be the remedy to this problem. Today’s college student is busy, but technologically connected. Some people may not be able to attend a meeting, but still want to be involved in the chapter’s activities. Give them a chance via e-mail.
     
  4. Identify a webmaster for your chapter web site. A web site is a great way to reach your current members as well as prospective members; however, it is very important to keep your site up-to-date. A web site should contain ALD history, events, chapter pictures, and so much more!
     
  5. Communicate with your advisors! Your advisors are there to help you with any planning and problems that occur with the chapter. Utilize their expertise and wisdom!
     
  6. Check out the brief description of your position as outlined by the National Handbook. These descriptions are located on-line here.

The National Leadership Workshop is held in October of each year, and is attended by ALD chapters from around the country! Two officers and one advisor are invited to attend. There are usually 200 spaces available so registration is on a first come, first served basis. Remember, all costs are covered by the National Office, with the exception of transportation expenses and the nominal  registration fee (usually $35).