RUNNING YOUR RSO

Collaboration

Student organizations are encouraged to collaborate with other student organizations. Collaborations can include events, service projects and fundraisers.

Benefits of collaborating:

Increased organization awareness
Shared resources
Increase in skills
Additional funds
Increase in ideas and creativity
Access to more team members

What to consider when collaborating:

Project management
It is important to establish the main organization representatives that will be leading the project. Having a lead representative assists in ensuring that all organizations are represented as well as assist in creating a clear goal.

Clear goal
Creating a clear goal, plan, tasks and timeline is important to ensure all aspects of the project is completed. It is also important to ensure each organization

Re-occurring meetings
Establishing re-occurring meetings to check in provides accountability to all organizations. These meetings are to check in on each aspect and task of the project to ensure it is in line with the timeline.

Communication
Multiple organizations collaborating on an event can lead to a lack of or incorrect information. It is important to establish a clear line of communication so that every team member knows who to go to with questions and updates. The re-occurring meetings will help in this aspect.

Event Planning

Students needing assistance with event planning can refer to the Student Center's Events Management website. Event planning resources that can be found on the website include a budget planner, planning checklist, tips on how to delegate, program evaluation and more.

A video tutorial is available on PIN regarding how to use the Check-in App to track the attendees of your events using their event pass.

Goal Setting

Goal setting is important for students, leaders and organizations. There are various methods and techniques that assist in setting goals. This resource provides tips on goal setting using S.M.A.R.T. goals. Utilizing S.M.A.R.T. goals encourages the use of detailed and measurable information so that all members and leaders in the organization are clear on the goal and tasks necessary to accomplish the goal.

Purpose of goal setting:

Opportunity for an organization to reflect on strengths and areas of improvement
Realize priorities
Provides focus and sense of direction
Create a plan
Assign tasks
Track progress

What are S.M.A.R.T. goals?

Specific
- Answering the questions on who, what, where, when and why
Measurable
- Answering the questions on how to accomplish the goal
Attainable
- Answering the questions on is it possible, does the organization has enough resources (time, money, etc.)
Relevant
- Answering the questions on is it realistic, does it make sense of the organization, is this goal necessary right now
Time-bound
- Answering the questions on the time frame (target date, is it attainable, is it too close or far into the future)

Managing Your Organization's PIN Page

Organizations are required to maintain updated and accurate information on the organization's PIN page. There is a PIN how-to documents folder on PIN. This how-to folder lists a step-by-step for various changes an organization may want to make. Information such as updated roster, current officers, current advisors and updated constitution and bylaws. The Engage Support center is also a great resource for students and student organizations in learning how PIN works.

https://youtu.be/jQkhBWKFbIk

Marketing

Marketing serves to promote student organizations and organize events to all students on or off-campus. It is important for student organizations to develop effective marketing strategies. Developing a marketing plan is the first step. A marketing plan includes creating deadlines for completing each task and allowing sufficient promotional time before the event.

What to consider:

Understand who the target audience is and how to best reach that audience.
Make sure the advertising contains all the important information (who can attend, what the event is about, where, when, why the event is being held, and if there is a fee).
Be sure to take note as to what areas need approval so that the advertising is not taken down.
The best time to begin advertising for an event is 2-3 weeks beforehand.

Officer Transitioning

The transition process is important as it is meant to inform and prepare new officers, provide an opportunity to address any questions or concerns, review current events/tasks on the organization's calendar and provide a foundation for new officers to set goals for the upcoming year. An effective and informative transition is important for new officers to start off prepared and on the right note.

Outgoing officers should:

Organize consolidate all officer resources (organization governing documents, login information, forms, financial information, advisor information, past events, reservations etc.).
- Officers are encouraged to utilize the Panther Involvement Network to upload and store files for incoming officers as well as utilizing a USB or binder.
Review all documents and resources to help the incoming officer understand the role and processes. As well as provide insight on any issues and accomplishments and answer any questions.
- Inform incoming officers of requirements and deadlines the organization must meet throughout the year (funding requests, reservations, annual re-registration etc.).
Host a transition meeting in order to provide a structured time frame that will allow for the transition to occur effectively.
Update the organization documents with new officer’s information (PIN page, bank account, local/national organization etc.)

Incoming officers should:

Review and become familiar with the transition documents (organization governing documents, login information, forms, financial information, advisor information, past events, reservations etc.).
Make a list of questions on the documents and on the role and processes to ask the outgoing officers or advisor
Ensure information is updated in all appropriate places including PIN
Get in contact and meet with the advisor(s) of the organization

Recruitment and Retention Students

Students join organizations for different reasons. It is important to explain the purpose of the organization, expectations, events and opportunities the organization provides. Potential members should have a clear understanding of what the organization is about and what to expect as a member. It is also important to learn what each student is looking for in an organization and what each student expects to get out of an organization.

What makes a student join an organization?

Identifying with the mission/purpose of the organization
Feeling comfortable with the current members
A feeling of contributing to the organization
Receiving benefits from an organization (new friends, community impact, skills, mentorship etc.)

Tips on recruiting members:

Create an informational flyer to distribute around campus
Plan tabling events to share information on the benefits and opportunities organization with potential members
Attend the Student Organizations Fair each fall and spring semester
Host information sessions on the organization and how to join
Plan events with other organizations on campus
Encourage members to mingle with students in their classes
Use different forms of media to spread information about the organization and events

Students stay in organizations for different reasons, just as students join for different reasons. Retaining members that are invested in the organization is crucial to the success of an organization. Members that do not feel the organization is providing benefits or connections will not be invested or active members.

What makes current members stay?

Sense of belonging
Sense of contributing
Feeling recognized
Feeling heard
Understanding what is expected of them
Events that are interesting to them
Benefits of the organization (social, community impact, skills etc.)

Tips on retaining members:

Help the members get to know one another by hosting socials and doing team building activities
Schedule meetings and events that are convenient for the members
Create a buddy or mentor program to help the members feel more connected
Delegate tasks so that members can feel needed and add value to the organization
Show appreciation to the members

Running Effective Meetings

When presiding over a meeting it is important to set a good mood and direction for the meeting. Robert’s Rules of Order serves as a great reference guide on how to hold efficient and effective meetings.

Tips for running meetings:

Make sure members know the date, time and location of every meeting
Use different means of communication to give notice about the meeting
Be prepared for the meeting
Develop an agenda and stick to it

A sample meeting agenda:

Call to order
Minutes
Officer/Committee reports
Discuss old business
Discuss new business
Announcements
Adjourn

After the meeting:

Ask members for feedback regarding the meeting
Discuss the meeting with the advisor, as an advisor may recognize what did and did not work a meeting
Make sure all officers and members have access to the meeting minutes

Trainings

The office is a resource to students, organizations and organization advisors. Along with providing online resources, in-person training is offered throughout the fall and spring semesters. Training includes PIN training, advisor training, new student organization orientation and a leadership training series.

The Leadership Programs staff are available for individualized group leadership training sessions with two weeks’ notice required for presentations. Topics include ethics, time management, effective communication. A leadership library also exists within the office as an additional resource. The library is a growing collection of books, workbooks, newsletters and journals on a wide variety of leadership and personal development topics.

New Student Organization Orientation

Students in the process of creating a student organization on the Atlanta Campus are required to attend a New Student Organization Orientation. The purpose of the orientation is for students to learn about the office, organization benefits, resources, policies and more. Orientation sessions are held each fall and spring semesters. The dates can be found on the Atlanta Student Organizations Events page on PIN.

Leadership Training Series

The leadership training series is a program for students and student leaders hosted in the fall and spring semesters. The monthly training will assist students in developing skills they can utilize within their organizations. Topics that will be covered include goal setting, collaboration, officer transitions, conflict management and more. The dates can be found on the Atlanta Student Organizations Events page on PIN.

PIN Trainings

Students are provided the opportunity to attend PIN training's throughout the fall and spring semesters. The PIN training allows students and organizations to learn how to use and navigate the site. The training will review the student profile, organization profile, how to find and connect with organizations, view and create events, view and create forms and more. The dates can be found on the Atlanta Student Organizations Events page on PIN.

Contact Us

Email

For general questions on any campus, email us at studentorganizations@gsu.edu.

Offices

In Person

Alpharetta Campus
3705 Brookside Pkwy, Room 1310
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
770-274-5600

Atlanta Campus
Student Center West, Suite 270
66 Courtland Street S.E.
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
404-413-1582

Clarkston Campus
Building CN, Suite 1400
555 North Indian Creek
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
678-891-3225

Decatur Campus
Building SC, Suite 2130
3251 Panthersville Road
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
678-891-2740

Dunwoody Campus
Student Center, Suite NB2200
2101 Womack Road
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
770-274-5385

Newton Campus
Building 2N, Suite 1200
239 Cedar Lane
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
678-891-2683

Mailing Address

Alpharetta Campus
Office of Student Life
3705 Brookside Pkwy, Room 1310
Alpharetta, GA 30022

Atlanta Campus
Student Organizations
Georgia State University
PO Box 3973
Atlanta, GA 30302-3973

Clarkston Campus
Office of Student Life
555 North Indian Creek
Building CN, Suite 1400
Clarkston, GA 30021

Decatur Campus
Office of Student Life
3251 Panthersville Road
Building SC, Suite 2100
Decatur, GA 30034

Dunwoody Campus
Office of Student Life
2101 Womack Road
Student Center, Suite NB2200
Dunwoody, GA 30338

Newton Campus
Office of Student Life
239 Cedar Lane
Building 2N, Suite 1200
Covington, GA 30014

Staff

Alpharetta Campus
Aprille Williams
Assistant Director for Student Life
awilliams311@gsu.edu

Atlanta Campus
Jeff Benson
Associate Director for Student Life
jbenson@gsu.edu

Shari Chryss Alfred
Coordinator for Student Engagement (Student Organizations)
salfred@gsu.edu

Clarkston Campus
Jez Catambay-Lopez
Associate Director for Student Life
jcatambay@gsu.edu

Decatur Campus
Anitra Patrick
Director, Student Programs & Services
apatrick@gsu.edu

Dunwoody Campus
Dr. Theodora Johnson
Assistant Dean of Students
tjohnson196@gsu.edu

Newton Campus
Perry Culverson
Assistant Director for Student Life
pculverson@gsu.edu

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