20 Points for Analyzing your Executive Board’s Structure

As a leader of your fraternity/sorority, it’s important to be using the latest, most cutting-edge technology that can give you the communication tools (and organization tools) necessary to streamline chapter operations. But there is problem here…

One basis for evaluating a leader is experience –meaning a lot of leaders get elected just because they have more experience. But, good leaders are perceptive enough to know that experience should make them more analytical of the communication systems in place, not stubborn and conservatively-focused on staying the course. You see, experienced leaders may find themselves sticking to “how things used to be.” I know you have heard that phrase before from one or more of your fraternity’s/sorority’s leaders.

Thus, as a leader of your fraternity/sorority/greek organization, you must re-evaluate your chapter’s communication system on a recurring basis, I suggest quarterly. I also suggest that you do it on my basis of 20 Points.

So, what should I look for in the communication and organization tools for my fraternity/sorority? What makes for a good system of communication and organization? I’ll give you a checklist of 20 Points for better fraternity/sorority communication and organization:

20 Points for Fraternity/Sorority Communication and Organization

Category A. Do you have a system/agency to collect member’s dues through credit cards, checks, e-checks?

Point 1: Is it effective, are you collecting dues proficiently? (See how you can collect dues better)

Point 2: What percentage of your dues are they charging, is it really worth it? (Compare rates for dues collections)

Point 3: Does your collection agency charge you on payments they don’t process? (Where you deposit the money without their help)

Point 4: Do members always know their balances? (Or are they asking you?)

Point 5: Do members have an easy way to see their balance? (Can they see it often enough?)

Point 6: Is it easy for your members to pay their balances?

Point 7: Is it easy for your members to pay their balances WITHOUT having to call you first

Point 8: Does your collection agency feel bureaucratic? (Are they like the DMV?)

B. What Member-to-Member Communication tools do you use?

Point 9: Do fraternity brothers/sorority sisters have an easy, accessible way to contact each other online?

Point 10: Do members communicate through a list serve? (They shouldn’t be, see the alternatives)

Point 11: Is there an alumni email list/mailing list?

Point 12: Is there a parent email list/mailing list?

Point 13: Can you mass text message your members, for free?

C. Are you communicating externally?

Point 14: Do you have a custom website for your fraternity/sorority to access?

Point 15: Does your custom website cost more than $100-$200 every year? (It BETTER not be, see examples of free custom greek websites coming soon)

Point 16: Can alumni use your website?

Point 17: Do parents feel connected to the organization through your website?

Point 18: Can members easily update their information on the website?

Point 19: Can you accept donations through your website?

Point 20: Do you have a connection to a t-shirt manufacturer? (You should, some options coming soon)

Evaluate your fraternity/sorority on these principles and do it fairly. It will pay off generously.