Qualifications
of an Advisor:
|
be a full-time faculty or staff member;
|
|
be a strong believer in the value of higher
education;
|
|
be a dependable person of high moral character
and possess integrity and good judgment;
|
|
get along well with people and be liked and
respected by students, colleagues, and superiors;
|
|
be an energetic person with strong leadership
capabilities, since he or she is expected to take an active, not passive,
role in the advising of the chapter;
|
|
be willing and able to cooperate with the
college administration, student leadership of the chapter, and the
Gamma Beta Phi national and state organization;
|
|
be ready to participate in official meetings
of Gamma Beta Phi and to abide by the Constitution;
|
|
not be so burdened with other duties that
his or her work as Advisor would be neglected.
|
Back to Top
Opportunities and Rewards of
an Advisor
The office of Advisor is an important and enviable
one. As can be seen from the list of qualifications, to be asked to serve
in this capacity is definitely a tribute. The rewards of an Advisor are
primarily intangible but, nonetheless, extremely desirable.
|
They associate
with the best students on campus in endeavors that are important and
worthwhile.
|
|
They have the reward of seeing the members
grow in their ability and willingness to shoulder responsibility and
in their commitment to scholarship, service, and character.
|
|
They have the satisfaction of contributing
to the well-being of their institution and society.
|
|
They can be assured that their own commitment,
dedication, and leadership and personal relations abilities will improve.
|
|
They will make lasting friendships with some
of the members and with other Advisors.
|
|
They will get to know many people in places
of authority on their campus and they, in turn, will become aware
of the Advisor's abilities.
|
|
They have the satisfaction of knowing that
through their efforts The Gamma Beta Phi Society is strengthened and
its ideals fostered and disseminated.
|
It is National Senate policy to show its appreciation
for the many hours of work necessary to be a good Advisor by means of
an honorarium of $3.70 per (excluding the charter year). The Advisor may
choose to share the honorarium with the Associate Advisor(s) or give it
to the chapter. If the honorarium is more than $600.00, an IRS Form 1099
will be issued at the end of the calendar year.
Back to Top
Responsibilities of an Advisor
As stated in the qualifications, the role of Advisor
is an active one. The Advisor is the administrative head of the chapter
and bears the ultimate responsibility for its' success or failure. Experience
has shown that a chapter lacking an interested and dedicated Advisor does
not long endure. Only the Advisor can provide the continuity and continued
leadership that a chapter must have; the chapter officers generally must
give way to other officers just about the time they become truly proficient
in their jobs.
The Advisor must allow and encourage the officers
and members to take as much initiative and to assume as much responsibility
as they are willing to. The Advisor is not to try to run the whole show,
but he or she must not let the chapter bog down. The amount of leadership
the Advisor must give will vary somewhat from year to year depending on
the abilities and dedication of the chapter officers. Perhaps the key
word to remember is partnership. Ideally, the Advisor would only suggest
and advise and play a very minor role; but practically he or she must
be very much involved. The Advisor must insure that things do get done
and see to it, in cooperation with the chapter President, that the chapter
does not suffer if someone fails to carry out responsibilities.
It is not the intention of Gamma Beta Phi to burden
the Advisor with excessive duties, but any student organization that is
to be a credit to an institution of higher learning must have a responsible
leader to stimulate interest in it and to direct its activities. One or
two Associate Advisors can be a big help to the chapter should the Advisor
need to relinquish the position for some reason.
Some specific duties of the Advisor are:
|
Meeting regularly and frequently with the
Executive Committee. This is the place where his or her leadership
will be most valuable. In particular, he or she should arrange a planning
meeting at the very beginning of the school year.
|
|
Aiding the officers and membership in planning
programs, projects, ceremonies, membership drives, and all other chapter
activities.
|
|
Taking part in as many of the chapter activities
as possible, including attending the regular meetings, participating
in service and fund-raising projects, and taking part in ceremonies
and membership drives.
|
|
Acting as liaison between the membership and
the faculty and administration when, by so doing, communication and
cooperation would be enhanced.
|
|
Making every effort to attend both the State
Convention and the National Convention as one of the chapter's voting
delegates. (See page,"Reimbursement Policy"). The Advisor's
attendance is considered of extreme importance, since here he or she
meets the national officers and other advisors and gets new ideas,
increased dedication, and a deeper understanding of the nature, purposes,
and procedures of the Society. It has been found that students often
won't attend unless the Advisor is going.
|
|
Aiding the President in the completion of
the Chapter Report and its timely submission and scrutinizing and
signing the Annual Financial Report and IRS Statement.
|
|
Tactfully arbitrating any disputes that the
Chapter Executive Committee cannot handle, and insuring that the chapter
President is performing the duties of that office.
|
|
Being sure the State President and National
Headquarters are kept informed of the activities of the chapter and
that all activities of the chapter are being well publicized.
|
|
Meeting at the end of the year with the old
and new officers and seeing that the transfer of information and material
is completed. The Advisor should keep all financial records that the
new Treasurer does not need, and a copy of the minutes as well.
|
|
Checking that all chapter materials from Headquarters
are distribute properly and not wasted, and that all forms, reports
and payments are sent to Headquarters on time. The Advisor should
also make sure that the Secretary and Treasurer are keeping proper
records, and that new members get all their membership materials.
|
|
Keeping the objectives and ideals of the Society
before the officers and members, offering encouragement and praise
at every opportunity, and setting an example for the officers and
members by the effort devoted to the Society.
|
Back to Top
Replacement of the Advisor
It is hoped that the Advisor and his or her chapter
will have a long-term relationship, but it is realized that unforeseen
circumstances may arise that cause the Advisor to be unable to continue.
In such a case the Advisor should give as much notice as possible to the
membership, the State President and Executive Director, and the appropriate
administrator of the institution. The Advisor should see to it that all
materials and information in his or her keeping are passed on to the replacement.
One of the worst things that can happen to a chapter
is for an Advisor to continue in that post when he or she is unable to
put forth the effort needed to quit the chapter. If such is the case,
the Advisor should resign.
Back to Top |