Role of Advisor

Role of Tau Beta Pi's Advisors

2004 TBP Annual Convention, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004, Orlando , FL.

Help student leaders to know the available resources (chapter, District, national, alumni).
Provide the continuity for the "traditional" projects.
Know who the DDs are and how to contact them (website).
Be a liaison between DD and chapter.
District Director (DD) should help track status of the chapter and communicate to that info to all advisors.
DDs should (definitely) include advisors on all communications that go to the chapter officers.
Publicize District meetings and encourage participation. (District budget?)
Advisors should attend District and national meetings and Conventions so they know what is going on.
Chapter officers should assign advisors to committees and set advisor expectations.
Assign each advisor an area of the chapter for responsibility (budget, checkbook, membership, surveys, service projects). Can use the Chapter Growth Cycle to delegate tasks among advisors.
Advisors should participate in social events and projects to get to know the students.
Provide leadership of "last resort." If things are not on track, give a push to get on track.
Be involved in ICE groups; sit in and listen to concerns.
Help establish a requirement for involvement. Advisor should back the President and be clear up front before initiation of what will be required in the future.
Should have an advisor from each engineering discipline and/or department.

Provide a mentoring relationship for each of the chapter officers.
Chapter involvement in the advisors' areas of interests (like projects, fund-raising, etc.).
Should be a supporter of the students and their activities to administration(s) - represent views of students. Be a liaison between chapter and administration(s).
Try to have an advisor who is a (graduate) student advisor.

Advisor should be a guide to the student officers.
Have patience in developing leadership among the officers.
Trust and verify, provide positive & constructive feedback to officers.
Provide for and make sure that there are quarterly chapter meetings.
Be actively involved in the Advisory Board process and meetings. Ensure valid elections, consideration of exemplary character, etc.
Advisor should be a motivator of the chapter to get members to participate
Awards recognition
Feel good about successfully accomplishing goals and objectives.
Advisor is the voice of experience and reason - the continuity.
Be aware of what should happen and when relative to your university and within the confines of the national reporting requirements.
Help promote TBP programs and projects - local and national ones - in/out of the classroom.
Be a resource of general information for the chapter.
Identify and develop future chapter leaders.
Handle the details of the officer transitions, passing of the torch.
Chief advisor should motivate other advisors - if needed. Recommend replacement of non-motivated advisors.

Source: Brainstorming Session, Ideas for the Role of Advisor (Summarized and categorized by Darrell Donahue)