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
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)
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 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
Leadership Training Series
PIN Trainings
Contact Us
For general questions on any campus, email us at studentorganizations@gsu.edu.
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
Alpharetta Campus
Aprille Williams
Assistant Director for Student Life
awilliams311@gsu.edu
Atlanta Campus
Jeff Benson
Associate Director for Student Life
jbenson@gsu.edu
VACANT
Coordinator for Student Engagement (Student Organizations)
studentorganizations@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