Advising Student Organizations
COMPLEX THOUGHTS
Do...
- Be visible.
- Know your limits.
- Teach leadership.
- Allow the group to fail.
- Know your group’s limits.
- Keep your sense of humor.
- Serve as a resource person.
- Inform the group of policies.
- Allow the group to succeed.
- Be consistent with your actions.
- Be available in emergency situations.
- Assist officers with procedural matters.
- Learn when to speak and when not to speak.
- Represent the group and its interests in staff and faculty meetings.
All recognized student organizations at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire must have an advisor who is a member of the UW-Eau Claire faculty or staff.
SOME BENEFITS OF ADVISING A
STUDENT ORGANIZATION
- Satisfaction of seeing and helping students learn and develop new skills.
- Watching a disparate group come together to share common interests and work toward common goals and an understanding of differences.
- Developing a personal relationship with students.
- Furthering personal goals or interests by choosing to work with an organization that reflects one’s interests.
- Sharing one’s knowledge with others.
Don't...
- Know it all.
- Be the leader.
- Control the group.
- Say “I told you so.”
- Impose your own bias.
- Manipulate the group.
- Close communication.
- Tell the group what to do.
- Take everything so seriously.
- Take ownership of the group.
- Miss group meetings or functions.
- Be afraid to let the group
try new ideas.
ADVISING RESPONSIBILITIES
The specific roles and responsibilities of an advisor will vary from organization to organization, and from advisor to advisor.
DIFFERENT ROLES YOU MIGHT PLAY INCLUDE…
- Booster — Some advisors simply become boosters for the organization, and lend a helping hand whenever needed.
- Guide/Mentor — Other organizations may need advisors who take a more active role in molding the policies and procedures of the organization.
- Advocate — Some clubs will want faculty or administrative support when it comes to
getting recognition for their events. They may expect you to be that advocate, and to stick up for them and help publicize what they do. - Facilitator/Mediator — This role involves taking a step back and coming in to the discussion when it stagnates or when there is conflict. A facilitator’s job is to bring the discussion back on tract. A mediator does not get involved, so as to remain impartial and be able to give an unbiased opinion.
POINTS TO REMEMBER AS AN ADVISOR
- Provide advice when called upon.
- Teach techniques of good leadership and followership.
- Provide continuity with the tradition and history of the group.
- Help members develop self-discipline and responsibility.
- Supply to the organization information, expert knowledge, and insights gained through experience.
