This is my second year of being a CC for my chapter but before that I was on the events board. Our chapter has always been small but we put out a lot of content each week because we work hard. Before I took over we were at a gold level and by busting my butt and incentivizing our members we were able to jump to a diamond standing. I knew the role wasn’t going to be easy and there were some good foundational pieces laid for me but during COVID a lot of it fell apart so taking over just after I knew my work would be cut out for me. I want to help all new or struggling CCs so I made a list of things that have helped my chapter and I succeed. Obviously I don’t have all the answers but this has worked for me and I hope at least one works or helps you in some way.
1. A Binder/Folder
I have an HC CC Binder. My exec members love to call it my “Holy Grail”. It is literally always with me but I also have a folder and notebook with me at meetings or during my “office hours”. In my binder I have tabs to cover everything. When you first open the binder you see the Important Her Campus document with all of our platforms and email username and passwords. The tabs then cover Executive board information(covering a past heads list, exec board descriptions and responsibilities for each role), Chapter Guides(quick guides to levels, incentives, social media standards), Members Info/Roster, Current Events(Events coming up for the semester and where to hang flyers), Monthly/Yearly Must Do’s, Chapter Information(Our members personal incentive points), New Member Registration Form(Member Questionnaire, Brochures for people to take), Trips(planning for the HC Conference this year) and Inventory.
2. A Way to Communicate
Using Groupme or a Group Chat app to communicate. Have an easy way and open way to communicate with your members.
3. HC Apparel
You can create your own personal chapter apparel or buy it off of the HCXO shop. It is a great way to show up to club fests or events in style so people know who you are.
4 Have HCXO Letters & Banner
What a cute thing to have for photos or bring to events so people know where to go. They can turn a nice group shot into something cute. You can use the letters for small group shots. The banner can be used for individuals through group photos.
5. Have the 5 Social Media Platforms on your Phone
Have Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Twitter on your phone. Make it easy to post at any point of your day from anywhere. It also helps to have it incase your social media team struggles with something like sending a post on Instagram to Facebook.
6. Bookmarking Apps on the Computer
I like to have certain applications bookmarked on my computer so that they are easily accessible. I currently have Zoho, Hercampus.com, HC Media Platforms, Geneva, Image Submission Form, Gmail and Canva.
7. Keep a Planner
You can keep a separate one just for HC or use your normal one and write in a special color to know what is going on with the club.
8. A Strong Executive Board
I have learned from having an executive board that was created by my Co-CC that they were more laid back and didn’t want to do work when it needed to be done. This caused me to pick up a lot of the slack and to become overwhelmed with the role at times. The next year when I got to pick my executive board and with the correct people in the right spaces they ran so smoothly and worked wonders. It has taken the unnecessary weight that I had last year off my shoulders. They know what the expectations are and get them done. My executive board this year has grown to be 12 members. We are an editorial team(2 senior editors, an editor), Social Media Team(1 head social media & PR/Marketing Director, 3 members), Events Committee(made up of three members), & Community Engagement Representative this year. We also usually have a secretary & DEI Council Representative.
9. Executive Availability Sheet
This has made it easy to tell when the executive board is free to have a meeting or host events. No more constantly asking who is available and trying to coordinate schedules. Obviously schedules may change once and a while but this gives a basic outline to who is around.
10. Strong Bond w/Other Clubs
Don’t be afraid to pair with other clubs or organizations on your campus as well as with other chapters of HC if they are close to you. We can pair together to help sponsor events and fundraisers but also promote each other’s fundraisers. Our chapters we love collaborating with SAAT and PRISM. We have also worked with DAPi, Triota and STEP.
11. A Personal Space on Campus
Our school has a Student Leadership Center where all clubs have a spot to put their stuff. Our cubby space is a desk cubicle. So we can do more than just store our stuff. We can also hold exec meetings whether it be the full group of just a small individual team meeting. It is also a nice place for me to hold “office hours” so members can come see me when I am there. It also gives me the opportunity to focus and have set aside time on any work that needs to be done.