Antleader
Guide
#A6

The Care and Feeding of Advisors

At UCI your club is not required to have an advisor, but it is strongly encouraged and recommended. Advisors need not be affiliated with the campus, but it sure helps you if they are!

Facts About Advisors

The Student Organization Can Help The Advisor By:

• Making clear the role they would like the advisor to take in the organization.
  • Can they vote?
  • Do they have veto power?
  • Are they required to pay dues? . . . usually not.
• Keeping the advisor informed of the organization's plans and problems.
• Making use of their background of experience with the organization and the campus.
• Working out tentative solutions to problems before going to them whenever possible.
• Observing lines of responsibility. Don't go "over their head" or bypass them entirely.
• Taking the initiative in arranging for regular executive committee meetings with the advisor.
• Inviting them to all activities. Don't take their attendance for granted.
  • Do they attend "free"? (They should be your guest.)
  • Are their families invited?
• Making them feel like a member of the organization.
• Showing an appreciation for their services -- by a letter, by appropriate comments at meetings and other occasions, and by nominating them for campus awards.
• Asking their advice! Ask them to be a "sounding board" for various ideas.
• Reviewing feelings with them concerning their role as advisor. Are they enjoying working with the organization? Would they like to change their advisory role in some way?
• Making sure they have an updated constitution and by­laws of the organization.

Advisors can provide the continuity of information and expertise that might otherwise be lost with the shifting student population. They can supply information that will enable the organization to avoid past mistakes and capitalize on the successes. Give them a real sense of belonging . . . that they are honestly needed . . . because they are!

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