These six feelings that I explain below are all completely normal thoughts you will have if you ever serve as the president of your fraternity.
1. Who the hell gave me this position?
When you look back on your time pledging your fraternity, you reminisce about the stupid things you did. You’ll wonder, "why on earth did these guys vote me as president? I could barely lead myself back to the dorms as a pledge, and now I have to lead 40+ guys. This is about to be an interesting year." You realize that, considering the amount of times a brother helped you, you owe it back to them, and this is how you’ll do your best.
2. Ugh, chapter is essentially mandatory for me now.
It’s a clear when you’re leading a chapter that you’re obligated to be at every meeting. Quite honestly, if you’re a president of a chapter and you don’t attend all meetings, unless you’re on your deathbed, expect to be impeached at the next meeting. Leading a group of men is nothing to be taken lightly. Attendance and performance at these weekly meetings shows how much you care and put in to improving your organization.
3. Okay, I’m doing well with this kind of responsibility.
The first half of your term is almost over, so you look back on the chapter’s accomplishments and what could use improvement in the next semester. You feel as if things are going well and you’re getting the hang of this. Now, at this point, you’re pumped for what’s in store for your second term. You share your successes with your family during the holidays and they think highly of you. Over winter break, you do intense planning for the upcoming term.
4. Not now, Founder’s Arch.
For those that don’t know, Founder’s Arch is how Greek-lettered organizations are graded on performance at my campus. It’s due at the least convenient time of the semester. You realize it doesn’t grade organizations on one of pillars and core principles for the creation of Greek organizations: brotherhood. You complete it anyway, but look for a way to improve the system.
5. Who will take over after me?
Your second semester is about halfway over, and you look upon the chapter during a chapter meeting. You scan each brother as he walks in the room, reading the way he carries himself and the way he interacts with his peers. Then it hits you. “Who’s actually fit to be my successor?” you say to yourself. The worry sinks in, and you begin making a list for the next president so that accomplishments continue.
6. I have to move on eventually, right?
You’ve got into the habit of over analyzing the entire situation. One day, you think about the path your life is going on. Graduation is near, and you have to trust in the next leader. They will do a fine job in continuing the success. Don’t stress yourself over this, because your brothers watched and analyzed your every move and know how to manage without you.
