CHAPTER PRESIDENT

As Chapter President, you are responsible for the chapter. Much of its success or failure will rest on your shoulders, whether you were directly responsible or not. Stay in touch with the officers, chapter members, alumni volunteers, university officials, and International Headquarters staff. They will look to you as a central figure. In addition to this resource, as President, you need to read and understand the chapter by-laws, the International By-Laws, the Ritual, and all the additional resources FarmHouse Fraternity provides its chapters.

Responsibilities

Preside at all meetings.

Enforce discipline and the observance of the Constitution and By-laws.

Decide all questions or order.

Appoint all committees not otherwise provided for.

Provides motivational and directional leadership to the chapter in terms of setting and
     reaching goals.

Represent the chapter at Conclave, Leadership Conferences, and other official events
     unless another person is so designated – and encourage a strong showing from your
     chapter at RLC and Conclave.

Serve as an ex-officio member of the various chapter committees.

Serve as a member of the Association Board.

Distribute mail and information from the International Headquarters.

Communicate with the Chapter Advisor weekly.

Visit the campus Greek Life Office weekly.

Contact the International Headquarters monthly, via telephone or e-mail.

Organize and plan a strategic planning retreat at least once a year.

Educate and train your successor.

Call special meetings.

Learn and understand the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Accept legal responsibility for the decisions and activities of the Chapter.

Be a role model

The Chapter President is one of very few offices that get the immediate respect of new members. Do them a favor and be a role model. You set the tone for the chapter's standards and norms. You also serve as a reminder and compass for active members. So, make sure they have a brother that can model the way.  Go to class, study and make good choices. 

Survival Tips

You are the Leader – but NOT alone. Ask for help.

Being President can get overwhelming – after all, you are learning as you go.  Luckily, there is a person on campus who has been formally educated about the best ways to run a chapter and getting the most out of your members. This person, of course, is your Greek Advisor. They know what they're talking about and want to be a part of the success story during your time as president – that is why they have a job. Additionally, you have a wealth of resources available to you from the International Headquarters, your Chapter Advisor, faculty, and alumni.

Take care of yourself

The most common trait of any leader is not organizational skills, public speaking talent or the ability to pull members together. It is, unfortunately, high stress and burn out. Not why one would choose to join a fraternity. So set aside time for yourself and make sure to have fun. It is not that easy, but a little rest and relaxation can go a long way.  Remember, you are still a brother and you are still in the best years of your life. You are far less useful to the chapter stressed out and overworked. Learning to balance these issues now will definitely serve you well later in life.

Key Relationships

Relationship with the Regional Advisory Council Mentor – Each Chapter is assigned a regional volunteer advisor who will conduct a consultation visit to the chapter, maintain monthly contact with the chapter, association and advisors and help provide resources, ideas and support to help the chapter achieve its goals and help meet the standards/expectations of the International Fraternity. This RAC is the link with the International Fraternity and is an invaluable sounding board for the Chapter President's problem situation decisions.

Relationship with Educational Leadership Consultant - Each Chapter is assigned a staff educational leadership who is responsible for serving as a resource for your chapter. The leadership consultant will make at least one targeted programming visit to your chapter annually, utilizing the Chapter Award of Excellence as the focus of the visit and helping provide ideas, resources and support for the chapter to succeed. He will provide presentations on risk management and another program of the chapter's choosing during his visit. He will also maintain regular contact with the chapter to assist the chapter in whatever ways possible.

Relationship with Association - The Association is a group of interested FarmHouse members who usually hold title to the Chapter property and oversee the long-term running of the Chapter. The association exists to provide aid and counsel to the undergraduates. The Chapter President is responsible for reporting the state of the Chapter to the Association, and seeing that the rent is paid to the Association (except in some unique cases). The legal relationship is one of landlord and tenant, renter and rentee, but the Chapter President should establish an amicable working relationship with the Association officers; they can be valuable resources and provide important, seasoned guidance to the undergraduate officers.

Special Relationship between the Chapter President and Other Officers. While proper function of the Chapter will require responsible leadership and fulfillment of duties by all officers, it is ultimately the Chapter President who must ensure that everything gets done. He must lead the Chapter's leaders. His job is to coordinate, however, not berrate. It will be necessary for the Chapter President to be cognizant of the duties of each officer, as explained in detail in the Chapter Operations Handbook.