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Building a Strong Executive BoardIllinois State UniversityPRSSA National Conference, San Francisco, Calif.

Chapter Development Session

Introduction• Who we are• Why we changed from the election process• What we do• Why it works• How you can start• What you do can do NOW

Who We Are• Kaitie Ries- President, 2011-12 VP• Lisa Crocco- Vice President• Kyle Slamans- National Liaison • Kelsey Carey- Treasurer• Bruce Kennedy- Secretary• Kim Nowlan- Historian• Dr. Pete Smudde, APR, Faculty Adviser• 104 dues-paying member Chapter of varying majors

Why We Moved Away from the Election Process

Wrong reasons

Didn’t want to run against a friend

Worried it was a

popularity contest

What We Do• Application (one PDF file)

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Two optional letters of recommendations from members

• Candidate must list top three preferred positions

• Restrictions (current e-board members)

• Cannot see applications

• Cannot be part of the selection process

• Locked out of the email account for fairness

What We Do• Interview

• Non-running e-board members & Faculty Adviser in the

room

• Types of questions

• Position-specific

• Behavioral questions

• General leadership & management issues

• Candidate is asking if they’d be willing to take a different

position if offered

What We Do• Selection

• Group discussion process

• Weigh positions and credentials

• Determine if candidate is better suited for a different

position

• Notify all interview candidates on whether or not

they received a position

What We Do• Contract

• Required for accountability

• Basic expectations:

• Must attend all meetings, National Conference,

Regional Conference, networking dinners, tours,

socials, philanthropic events, etc.

• Must obtain excused absence from the president if

there’s a conflict

What We Do• Excused absences

• Serious illness

• Event planned before a PRSSA event was scheduled

• Family emergency

• Uncontrollable circumstances (car trouble, etc)

• Unexcused absences

• Homework/test the next day

• Work

• Party/concert/social event

• Other club/organization event

What We Do• Training

• Meet with predecessor

• Receive a USB drive

• Discuss responsibilities

• Predecessor gives advice based on their term

• Combined e-board meeting

• Update the strategic plan to inform incoming e-board of goals

• E-board shadows

• Members can attend an e-board meeting to learn about the commitment

• Mentor-mentee program

What We Do• Performance Management

• Evaluations• All e-board positions and president

• President discusses with Faculty Adviser– Confidential to other e-board members

• Discuss strengths and areas of improvement

• E-board members evaluate the president

360-degree feedback

Director

Committee Chair

E-board Adviser

• All leadership positions are evaluated on their

work

• E-board advisers evaluate directors

• Directors evaluate committee chairs

• Directors and committee chairs evaluate e-

board advisers

What We Do

WeeklyPresident & Adviser

MonthlyTreasurer & Adviser

Weekly E-board

WeeklyChapter

• Meetings• Frequent meetings for clear communication and planning

• Weekly• President and Adviser• Executive Board• Chapter

• Monthly• Treasurer and Adviser

What We Do• Surveys (we use SurveyMonkey.com)

• Executive board

• E-board only, president only sees it

• 10 questions, multiple choice

• One open-ended at the end

• President evaluates and finds solutions

• All Chapter members

• Members also survey the Chapter’s performance

• Both current and incoming e-boards review the data

What We Do• Documentation

• E-board handbook & flash drive is central (none prior to fall 2010)

• Includes core documents to running the Chapter

• National documents, University documents, E-board

documents

• Required use for all e-board members

• Available for all Chapter members/other Chapters

• Archive all past emails to use as a reference

Why It Works

• Better for members

• Eliminates the “If e-board doesn’t come to events, why

should I?” attitude

• Better for e-board candidates

• Good practice for submitting a resume and interviewing

• Better for accountability

• Allows us to rely on each other and work well

Our Next Steps• Continuous improvement is key

• Better, enhanced training results in better leaders

• Leadership workshop• Learn about types of leaders and followers

• Analyzed ways the Chapter and e-board could improve

• E-board retreats• Examples: pizza party, game night, team-

building activity at the Rec, go to dinner, etc

What You Can Do NOW1. Incorporate surveys

2. Conduct evaluations

3. Invest in USB drives

4. Have an e-board team building activity

5. Enforce a 24-hour response rate

6. Meet with e-board and Faculty Adviser

Contact information

Email: prssa@ilstu.edu

Facebook: PRSSA- Illinois State University

Twitter: @ILSTUPRSSA

Website: communication.illinois state.edu/prssa