Collegiate Chapter Advisor Information

While collegiate officers change from year to year, alumnae advisors provide the wisdom, knowledge and continuity essential for a collegiate chapter's success.

Read below to find out more about how to become an advisor and the requirements and skills necessary for success as an advisor. We thank you for your interest in helping our collegiate chapters be the best that they can be!

Advisor Appointments
Qualifications for Advisors
Duties of all Advisors

Advisor Appointments

Advisor Selection

The Chapter Advisor is the primary advisor for the chapter. She is responsible for establishing the advisor team. Diversity in both age and experience is important to the development of a strong advisor team. Communication skills and patience are key factors for success.

Procedure for Chapter Advisor Appointment

Chapter Advisor appointments are made every other year by International Council. Recommendations for the position are requested from the collegiate chapter, the alumnae chapter, the house association and Province Directors. More than one recommendation may be made by any of these. The term of appointment is for two years, beginning April 1 and ending March 31 when Convention will not take place that summer. Notification of appointment is made to the Chapter Advisor by a letter from the Executive Director. A copy of the appointment letter is sent to the President.

To be eligible to be appointed as Chapter Advisor, the alumna:

• must be an initiated member of any Alpha Gamma Delta chapter;
• must be in Good Standing with the Fraternity;
• must not have been an active collegiate member within the last five years;
• must have been contacted and indicated willingness to serve in this office prior to recommendation of her name to International Council;
• and may not have a daughter, step-daughter, granddaughter or sister currently in the collegiate chapter where she will serve.

Appointing an Advisor Team

Once the Chapter Advisor receives the appointment letter, she appoints the advisor team. The Fraternity requires each chapter have the following advisors serve on Executive Council:

• Chapter Advisor
• Member Development Advisor
• Recruitment Advisor
• Finance Advisor
• Property Advisor (if the chapter has living accommodations)

These positions are to be filled by five different individuals. It is to the advantage of the chapter and to the Chapter Advisor to appoint an individual advisor for each officer. If there are not enough individual officer advisors, the team leader advisor will advise the entire team. The Chapter Advisor must advise those remaining officers who do not have an individual advisor.

To express your interest in becoming an advisor, contact the Chapter Advisor of your desired chapter. Contact information can be found by using the “Chapter and Club Contacts” search in the Member Services section of the Fraternity website. The chapter advisor will be included in the list of officers and advisors for each collegiate chapter.

Qualifications for Advisors

No previous experience as an advisor is necessary. Ideally, advisors should be from several different chapters and represent a variety of ages and backgrounds. To be appointed as an advisor, a member should:

• Be an initiated member in Good Standing of any chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta.
• Be out of school for a minimum of three years if she is considering being an advisor for her initiating chapter. An exception to this requirement may be requested in writing from the Province Director explaining the circumstances for the request.
• Be willing to learn the specifics of the office she will advise, if not already knowledgeable in this area.
• Be able to devote the time necessary for the position.
• Enjoy working with collegians.
• Be willing to serve in the capacity of advisor.
• Be an effective and efficient communicator.
• May not directly advise her daughter, stepdaughter, granddaughter or sister where she may serve.

Willingness to serve and dependability are critical attributes to consider when appointing advisors. Flexibility and a leadership style which guides, rather than dictates, promotes the growth and understanding desired with the collegiate officers. It is important to recognize each advisor's personal skills, interests and experiences when assigning advisor positions.

Duties of All Advisors

• Develop a close, supportive and positive relationship with assigned collegiate officer(s) and communicate weekly.
• Know and understand the responsibilities and duties of the assigned collegiate officer(s).
• Assist the officer(s) in fulfilling the duties of office, including the preparation of reports and forms, if required.
• Ensure adherence to the officer budget.
• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to the Governing Documents of the Fraternity and of the chapter, college or university policies and local regulations and assist the Chapter Advisor in enforcing these policies.
• Communicate regularly with the Chapter Advisor with regard to potential problems.
• Proactively guide and facilitate the chapter to be successful, financially stable and self-sufficient.
• Serve as a participating and voting member of the collegiate officer's team and committee.
• Ensure that officer training is completed for the successor to the collegiate officer.
• Attend all officer training workshops and train the advisor's successor.
• Participate in the Target Achievement.
• Keep an up-to-date Officer Notebook.
• Attend Advisor Team meetings.
• Maintain an advisor file.
• Attend chapter activities and functions when possible.
• Be a positive role model and foster sisterhood.
• Be willing to listen and learn and have a desire to assist the chapter.
• Be willing to accept change while relating to permanent values and standards of the Fraternity.
• Function in a helpful and supportive, rather than judgmental manner. When dealing with chapter members and situations, be patient, fair, wise and kind, but firm.
• Maintain a sense of humor.
• Know and use correct parliam
• entary procedure.
• Designate another advisor to substitute in your place when needed.
• Use correct Alpha Gamma Delta terminology. Consult the Alpha Gamma Delta Stylebook.