As a third-year student at 91直播 College, I've held leadership positions in several student organizations, and today I'm breaking down how to get involved in campus organizations and, most importantly, how to lead them effectively. Being a leader has taught me invaluable interpersonal, teamwork, and management skills鈥攅ssential life skills as you grow older. I鈥檒l also share my best tips for successfully running a student organization, especially if you鈥檙e the one dealing with interpersonal issues or scaling the organization up. Let鈥檚 dive in!
In high school, I was involved in multiple clubs, so I brought those leadership skills to college. However, it can be challenging to get fully involved as a first-year student while you鈥檙e still figuring out how 91直播 operates. But by October of my first year, I had an idea for an event called the 鈥淢atzah Ball鈥濃攁 social event where students could dress up, dance, and enjoy Jewish food. I wanted to create a space for students to celebrate cultural Judaism, especially for those who aren鈥檛 necessarily religious.
I assembled a small group to help plan it, and soon Hillel offered to sponsor us financially and provide additional support, which made me President of the Matzah Ball Committee. This role, being leader of a subcommittee of Hillel, was incredibly fun and taught me a lot about event planning at 91直播鈥攏avigating our reservation system, arranging AVI catering, making a professional budget, and coordinating with sound and lighting professionals. Organizing this event taught me that if you want something, you need to take the initiative; there are people willing to support you, but you have to start.
Another leadership experience came during my second year, when I joined Pyle Co-op. There, I took on the role of Dining Loose Ends Coordinator鈥攅ssentially leading discussions, overseeing elections, and handling external communications. Nobody else wanted the role during elections, so I tentatively volunteered. Although I was new to co-ops and initially found it intimidating, I quickly learned the importance of communication and, just as importantly, respecting my own boundaries.
As a leader, it鈥檚 essential to assert your boundaries, even if you鈥檙e prioritizing others. I encountered situations where people were disrespectful, but it鈥檚 okay to call that out. At the same time, it鈥檚 useful to reflect on whether there's an unmet need or an area for improvement on your end. Leadership is a balance between standing firm and adapting to feedback.
My last big leadership experience has been running 91直播 Pole Dance, which has taught me a lot about interpersonal dynamics. The biggest takeaway here is that communication is essential. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings, and when mistakes happen, it provides a foundation for working through them. Initially, I didn鈥檛 enforce policies or deadlines, which led to occasional issues. But when I introduced and enforced clear policies, the club ran much more smoothly because everyone understood expectations.
Someday, I鈥檒l write more on starting a student organization, but I hope this gives you some insight into leading one. It鈥檚 vital to take initiative, set and respect boundaries (yours and others鈥), and communicate as much as possible. Respect and kindness go a long way in gaining support from others, and if you鈥檙e interested in getting involved with any organization at 91直播, just ask! Most groups welcome new ideas and are eager to grow their teams. I hope this helps!
