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Learning Objective 1: Describe elements of transformational, task-oriented, and participative leadership styles that facilitate collaboration to develop an at large STTI chapter.
Learning Objective 2: Discuss specific techniques and ideas for co-planning, officer structure, and communication that promote successful teamwork to support chapter growth.
Starting and sustaining a Sigma Theta Tau International chapter at a school with a smaller program, and thus fewer members, can be challenging. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an exemplar of how the leadership at three schools resulted in two at-large chapter initiatives. The first two schools, a university and a free standing college, successfully pursued at large status. After the university purchased the free standing college and the groups became one (now a mid-sized program), the chapter has proceeded to currently pursue a second at large status with a smaller nearby university.
Methods
The discussion presents our specific methods to achieve successful collaboration in these endeavors. Our journey included elements of transformational, task-oriented, and participative leadership styles. We will share techniques and ideas for co-planning and officer structure that we have found critical to our success thus far. We will also discuss effective use of electronic supports for newsletters, voting, and meetings.
Results
The result of actively pursuing at large status has been a thriving chapter in a less-populated, rural area. The presentation will include examples of our successful collaboration. These have included providing scholarly meetings that offer contact hours in rotating locations to reach as many members as possible and developing and sustaining a graduate level scholarship for members.
Conclusion
This presentation offers practical examples of successful collaboration to support the effort necessary to pursue at large chapter status. Forward and open minded thinking by chapter leaders can result in the realization of a viable, smaller chapter ready to support the needs of members who reside in more remote geographic locations.