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Your opinion does count, but it counts equally as much as anyone else’s opinion in your group. If you express an opinion that is not in sync with the group, encourage everyone to give their thoughts on the subject. 

Have someone take minutes of every meeting and get copies to all the committee members and advisor(s) (or post in a regular location). Keep the original in your files.

Here again, you cannot rely on memory about an event six months after. Keep reports of all events, information collected and who sponsored or helped. This is also a good way to document the good things your group is accomplishing. 

You cannot do a good job unless you know how much money has been spent and how much you have left in your budget. You should keep a record of all expenditures. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to visit Student Involvement and ask for help.

A lot of material from various sources will be routed to each organization officer. Keep anything of interest to your organization to build a large database of information available to your group. During the quiet months (break and summer), collecting ideas from other schools may help. Informed groups are productive groups.

You learn from mistakes. You and your organization members should honestly evaluate every activity you plan and carry out. Also, about twice a year go back to your basic mission statement and see if you are still on track. 

In order to build more satisfying relationships with the members of your organization, make a conscious effort to express more gratitude, appreciation, delight, affirmation and encouragement. Appreciation rewards your members and lets them know that their many contributions are noticed. No matter how routine an action might be, saying “thanks” helps members feel their contribution was worth the effort. It takes an active awareness to continue giving appreciation.