ADVISOR MANAGEMENT 101: HOW TO BEST WORK WITH YOUR RSO ADVISOR A FRATERNAL LEADERSHIP SERIES & RSO WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY PROGRAM

THE BASICS ALL RSOS MUST HAVE AN ADVISORS REGISTERED WITH STUDENT INVOLVEMENT THAT IS AN SIUC FACULTY OR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER RSOS CAN HAVE AN OFF-CAMPUS ADVISOR AS WELL. RSO ADVISORS SERVE THREE KEY FUNCTIONS MAINTENANCE GROUP GROWTH & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTENT & COORDINATION ALL ADVISORS WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT ORGANIZATION POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PROGRAMS.

SELECTING AN RSO ADVISOR SIT DOWN AND TALK AS AN ORGANIZATION ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF AN ADVISOR. FIND A FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBER WHO WILL HAVE THE TIME TO DEVOTE TO YOUR RSO. MAKE SURE THAT THIS PERSON WILL TAKE THE ROLE WILLINGLY AND SERIOUSLY, AND FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS RELATED TO THE MISSION/PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. MAKE CERTAIN THAT HE OR SHE HAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. DISCUSS WITH THE POTENTIAL RSO ADVISOR WHAT IS REQUIRED OF HIM OR HER, HIS OR HER DUTIES, AND THE TIME COMMITMENT INVOLVED. BE OPEN AND HONEST WITH THE POTENTIAL RSO ADVISOR ABOUT THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THE ORGANIZATION MAY PARTICIPATE. ALLOW THE PERSON A REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME TO CONSIDER HIS OR HER DECISION. IF POSSIBLE, CHOOSE SOMEONE WHO SHARES SOME OF THE SAME INTERESTS AS THE ORGANIZATION, AND WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY INTERACTED WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THE ROLE OF THE RSO ADVISOR THE RSO ADVISOR RECOGNIZES AND SUPPORTS PARTICIPATION IN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD WORK WITH THE REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION BUT NOT DICTATE THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE FRANK IN OFFERING SUGGESTIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OR IDEAS, AND DISCUSSING POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE PLANS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THE RSO ADVISOR WILL ATTEND SOME MEETINGS AND WILL CONSULT FREQUENTLY WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICERS.

THE ROLE OF THE RSO ADVISOR THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD KNOW THE GOALS AND DIRECTION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND SHOULD HELP THE ORGANIZATION EVALUATE ITS PROGRESS. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND HELP WITH INTERPRETATION, IF APPLICABLE. THE RSO ADVISOR PROVIDES A SOURCE OF CONTINUITY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND HELP THE ORGANIZATION COMPLY WITH THEM.

THE ROLE OF THE RSO ADVISOR THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE GENERAL FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND ENCOURAGE GOOD RECORD KEEPING. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD HELP IN TRAINING NEW OFFICERS AND HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE PREPARED TO RESOLVE MAJOR PROBLEMS OR EMERGENCIES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD MONITOR GROUP FUNCTIONING AND ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO FULLY PARTICIPATE, TO ASSUME APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES, TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES, AND TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AND CO-CURRICULAR COMMITMENTS.

RSO'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ADVISOR KEEP IN MIND THAT THE RSO ADVISOR IS VOLUNTARILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION. IT IS THE ORGANIZATION'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THE RSO ADVISOR ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION. NOTIFY THE RSO ADVISOR OF ALL MEETINGS AND EVENTS. CONSULT YOUR RSO ADVISOR IN THE PLANNING OF ALL ACTIVITIES. CONSULT HIM OR HER BEFORE ANY CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION, OR IN THE POLICIES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE MADE, AND BEFORE MAJOR PROJECTS ARE UNDERTAKEN. UNDERSTAND THAT ALTHOUGH THE RSO ADVISOR HAS NO VOTE THAT HE OR SHE SHOULD HAVE SPEAKING PRIVILEGES.

RSO'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ADVISOR PROVIDE COPIES OF MEETING MINUTES IN A TIMELY MANNER. REMEMBER THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE ORGANIZATION PROJECT RESTS ULTIMATELY WITH THE GROUP, NOT THE RSO ADVISOR. TALK OVER ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS WITH THE RSO ADVISOR. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE RSO ADVISOR'S TIME AND ENERGY ARE DONATED AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION. BE CLEAR AND OPEN ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR RSO ADVISOR'S ROLE. ALLOW THE ADVISOR TO SAY “NO” WHEN NEEDED. AT THE END OF EACH SEMESTER, EVALUATE YOUR RSO ADVISOR AND GIVE APPROPRIATE FEEDBACK.

RSO & ADVISOR RELATIONSHIP BY SHARING BOTH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, THE RSO ADVISOR CAN ASSIST THE ORGANIZATION IN THE CONDUCT OF ITS ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, VALUABLE, MUTUALLY REWARDING, CO-CURRICULAR RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND RSO ADVISORS ARE FOSTERED. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE RSO ADVISOR AND THE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATE THEIR EXPECTATIONS TO EACH OTHER. THE RSO ADVISOR SHOULD BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE THINGS HE OR SHE WILL DO, AND THE THINGS HE OR SHE WILL NOT DO. OF COURSE, THE EXPECTATIONS WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE RSO ADVISOR.

RSO & ADVISOR RELATIONSHIP THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP MUST BE SHARED BETWEEN ADVISOR AND STUDENT. SIMPLY, IT IS A PARTNERSHIP. THE RELATIONSHIP MUST BE BASED UPON OPEN, DIRECT COMMUNICATION. SHARE NEEDS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS WITH EACH OTHER BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE BOTH MUST RECOGNIZE THE OTHER’S VARIOUS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN/OUTSIDE OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. KNOW EACH OTHER’S COMMITMENTS AND LET EACH OTHER KNOW THEIR IMPACT BOTH ADVISOR/STUDENT ARE HUMAN BEINGS WHO MAKE MISTAKES, FOLLOW THEIR OWN VALUE SYSTEMS, AND WORK IN INDIVIDUAL, PROFESSIONAL, PERSONALITY STYLES. ACCEPT, DISCUSS, AND LEARN FROM MISTAKES—THEN MOVE ON BOTH ADVISOR/STUDENT ARE CONTINUALLY GROWING, CHANGING, AND LEARNING; EACH WITHIN THEIR OWN UNIQUE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT. CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER

TIPS FROM ACTUAL RSO ADVISORS “LEARN WHAT THE WORD "ADVISOR" MEANS AND EXPECT NO MORE OR NO LESS OF YOUR ADVISOR.” “IF YOU DON'T USE ME, IT'S YOUR CHOICE, BUT I'M HERE OF MY OWN VOLITION, AND IT'S BECAUSE I WANT TO GIVE BACK A LITTLE OF WHAT I TOOK OUT. USE ME.” “RECOMMEND TO ANY ADVISOR THAT HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITY IS TO GET THE RSO SO INDEPENDENT THAT HIS/HER JOB IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. HE/SHE THEN BECOMES STRICTLY A SUPPORT PERSON, ONLY THERE AS THE NEED ARISES.”

TIPS FROM ACTUAL RSO ADVISORS “KEEP YOUR ADVISOR INFORMED, AND DEVELOP RAPPORT WITH HIM/HER. IT IS HARD TO OFFER UNSOLICITED ADVICE, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HELP IF ONE IS NOT ACQUAINTED WITH THE FACT THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. THE ADVISOR SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO BE PRESENT AT MANY OF THE RSO MEETINGS, AT MOST OF THE EXECUTIVE MEETINGS, AND, ABOVE ALL, TO KNOW EACH OF THE MEMBERS PERSONALLY.” “RESPECT YOUR ADVISOR FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, THAT HE/SHE HAS TO SPEND WITH THE RSO. DON'T EVER TAKE YOUR ADVISOR FOR GRANTED FOR IT IS THE FASTEST WAY OF LOSING HIM/HER AND HIS/HER INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT. BE ATTENTIVE TO EXACTLY WHAT THE ADVISOR DOES AND DOESN'T DO.” “CLEARLY DEFINE THE ROLE YOU WANT YOUR ADVISOR TO TAKE AND KEEP HIM/HER WITHIN THOSE BOUNDS, MAKING SURE THAT THE CHAPTER HOLDS UP ITS END OF THE CONTRACT. CONSTANTLY BE AWARE OF YOUR ADVISOR'S INVOLVEMENT, INVITE HIM/HER TO FUNCTIONS YOU WANT HIM/HER TO ATTEND AND DON'T ASSUME HE/SHE WILL BE THERE, AND DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING ELSE.”

TIPS FROM ACTUAL RSO ADVISORS “BE CONSIDERATE AND ESTABLISH GROUND RULES FOR OFFICE VISITS, TELEPHONE CALLS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS. AND, MOST OF ALL, NEVER EXPECT YOUR ADVISOR TO DO A JOB SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD BE DOING – IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN AND NEVER SHOULD. FIND YOUR ADVISOR'S SPECIAL INTERESTS AND USE HIS/HER TALENTS IN THAT FIELD.” “MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AND HIS/HER FAMILY FEEL A PART OF THE RSO BY NOTING ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS INCLUDED IN AS MANY FUNCTIONS AS POSSIBLE – THIS SIMPLE CORDIAL ACT WILL HELP MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THE SACRIFICES THAT THE FAMILY IS MAKING TO ALLOW YOUR ADVISOR TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU.”