Under ordinary circumstances, the advisor should not assume a role as a leader, officer, or voting member within the student organization. The advisor will advise students in planning projects, events, or programs for the organization. This may include planning a meeting or social, fundraising drive, or community service events. Your advisor may provide advice regarding the timing of the event, the order of events, or even ways to get others involved. Your advisor may work directly with officers in developing individual skills like public speaking and letter-writing, or you may ask him or her to assist in ways to increase motivation.
Advisors also link past members and traditions with new members by providing continuity.
Providing continuity involves encouraging productive officer transition as well as accurate record-keeping. The following is a list of expectations of advisors for student organizations. An advisor's actual commitment will vary depending on his or her style of leadership and the needs of the organization. However, this list is extremely helpful in facilitating a discussion between the advisor and the leaders of the group about the role the advisor will take. The advisor should be very clear about the things he or she will do, the things he or she will NOT do, and his or her expectation from the group as well.