June 2000 Issue

Found yourself in the position of holding both a chapter and a regional office? Don’t know where you should concentrate your efforts, or if you should be doing this at all? Or have you been a chapter officer in the past and now find yourself in a regional position and you’re unsure how to make the transition? If you are struggling with these questions, but haven’t come up with any answers, take a look at this recent exchange of ideas excerpted from Phi Theta Kappa’s Regional Officer List Serve.

Was it difficult making the transition from chapter to regional officer?

FS: Letting go is hard, but holding on would be harder.

HB: Having served as a chapter president before being elected to regional office, I found it hard to look at things from a regional perspective instead of a chapter perspective.

Did you find, in holding two offices, that you had to choose between your chapter and your regional commitments?

FS: When I was elected to a regional office, my primary commitment became to the region and to my fellow regional officers. I needed to look at the bigger picture and my place in it. I am more than confident that the majority of us could serve as a chapter officer and hold a regional officer’s position at the same time; however, one of the International Officer Academy speakers made a good argument about one of our responsibilities in holding any office…and that is to prepare our successors. I am in no way saying that once we are elected to regional office that we should abandon our chapters. However, we do not need more than one title in order to be recognized as a leader. We should share the responsibilities and recognition with others by encouraging them to take on leadership roles.

HB: I believe that when a person is elected to regional office, the region takes priority. Not that your chapter is no longer important, but the region is now your responsibility.

EE: I believe that it is necessary to keep both the chapter and the region as top priorities. This past year I had an obligation and responsibility to both my chapter and my region. Oftentimes when one becomes a regional officer, it can be easy to forget or ignore the chapter.

MK: Although there are some instances where the regional officer has to keep his chapter in working order, a regional officer should be able to concentrate on regional duties exclusively. By assuming a joint leadership position, occasionally and without intention, either the region or chapter may suffer in the long run.

LD: If the need arises to take on more than one position, perhaps it can be short-lived … the regional position must take priority.

RF: In Illinois, chapters are elected to regional office, rather than individuals. However, there is one person that is picked to be the chapter's regional delegate. This past year all of the regional delegates were presidents of their chapters and it worked out well.

How did you handle the dual responsibilities?

RF: I oversaw the things that happened with my chapter, but my chapter officers were highly instrumental in the creation of programs and events. I supported my chapter and advised them in their roles, which to me is what a president should do.

FS: I gladly accepted my new challenge, but will continue to be an active supporting member in my chapter. I need to allow others the opportunity to serve as a leader in the chapter.

How do you feel your regional position has benefited your chapter?

RF: I trusted my chapter to make the right decisions throughout the year with my guidance, not by me telling them what to do. This gave me plenty of time to get our chapter more involved in the region and honestly, better known.

FS: I share my regional presidency with my chapter. I let them know where I am traveling and invite them to come along. I constantly remind them of regional programs that are offered and provide connections for service and fellowship with other chapters.

HB: I knew that if I did my job as regional president to the best of my ability, I would grow as a Phi Theta Kappan and my chapter would grow with me. Now as a past regional officer, I am able to turn my attention toward my chapter again and learn with them as we journey into the next year. Share information with those in your chapter and region, and everyone will be able to grow together.

EE: While I was not able to spend time with my chapter during regional meetings, I was still able to make sure that my chapter was aware of the activities in the region and was able to actively participate in those activities.

MK: I feel that as a regional officer it is your duty to be an advisor to your chapter as the servant of your region. Your active status in the chapter can be achieved with your participation on various committees or helping those committees complete their goals. This will allow for your region to get the attention it will require while remaining fully involved in your chapter.

Do you recommend holding two offices?

MK: I recommend against it. We all know that the duties of a regional officer differ significantly from that of a chapter officer. These duties range from individualized attention with chapters that need help, to a full regional implementation of certain key elements that will affect everyone. A dual role can spread even the best officers too thin.

LD: Allowing others to experience the challenges, the opportunity to grow, and the amazing knowledge of what comes with failure at times should be the greatest motivation for not holding more than one leadership position at one time.

Any words of advice to someone giving up a chapter office in favor of a regional office?

DK: Perform your regional tasks first, then do what you can for your chapter. No one will or can expect more.

MK: Great things happen in Phi Theta Kappa, but one should not have to do it all.

FS: I know in my heart that I could not do both jobs at my usual high pace.

HB: What helped me was knowing that my chapter was in good hands with our new officers because of the training that they received on the regional level. The most important thing that you can leave to a chapter and a region is the training of those who will follow in your footsteps.