Rethinking The Fall

Rethinking the Fall

This semester will look very different from your organization’s Fall 2019 semester.  But that doesn’t mean it can’t be successful.  Here are a few steps you can take now to ensure a successful semester.  

1. Schedule a virtual planning meeting with your advisor and board

• Discuss what you realistically want to accomplish this semester.   This is a great semester to rethink your org and focus internally.  Consider reviewing your constitution, focus on leadership development, DEI development, etc.

2. At the meeting develop goals for the year with your exec board.  Set SMART Goals

1. 1. Specific: State exactly what do you want to accomplish
   2. Measurable: There is a way you can see how you are doing (mini goals)
   3. Achievable: Reachable not something you won’t be able to accomplish
   4. Realistic: Relevant to your organization
   5. Timely: Give yourself a deadline

• Example of a SMART goal: This semester our organization will plan our annual recruitment event virtually and and hope to increase our membership by 10%.
• Example of a SMART goal: In order to keep our members motivated and engaged for the semester, we will plan weekly study sessions that will allow us to connect with each other and continue to live our mission as an academic organization.
• Example of a SMART goal: This semester our organization will review our constitution and update it to be reflective of where we want our organization to go over the next 3 years.

3. Think about your membership and how you want to engage them this semester.  The safety of your members should always be the top priority.  Their roles may look very different (or not seem relevant anymore) so discuss how you can shift your organizations roles to still provide a meaningful experience for your members. Some questions to ask: 

1. 1. Are there organization requirements (from your bylaws) that you need to temporarily adjust/suspend for operations under pandemic conditions? (attendance, service hours, etc.)
   2. How will the organization engage members who have chosen to remain fully remote from campus in the fall semester? 
   3. Set expectations with your members since the expectations for their role may no longer be the same.

4. Attend the Student Org Summit on September 2 which will have a number of updates and sessions that will help your organization be successful. 

5. Participate in OSI Initiatives like FYI with OSI who can help you plan for the semester!