The Observer, April 28, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 26
Just in CASE...
..you're wrapping things up
Since this is the last issue for the semester, it's a good time to make sure that everything is in place for the summer. Here is a short list of things to remember. Not all of these will apply to every group, so weigh each point carefully.
This may sound obvious, but make sure that you pay your bills before you leave. There are dozens of calls each summer from merchants who want payment for services rendered during the year. Avoid fines, late fees, and service refusals by making sure all the bills are paid. Oh, and collect any outstanding dues before people leave.
Make sure all paperwork is in: mail forward cards, contact sheets, reports to headquarters, etc. All parties that have a connection to you might need to contact you, so make sure that information gets into the right hands. Make sure your webpage is up to date also. There may be many people looking at it over the summer.
Plan a retreat for the fall. Get the date on the calendar now and make sure everyone knows about it. You don't have to have a detailed agenda: spend the summer thinking about what you want to cover.
Reflect on the goals your group set for the year. Where were your successes and failures? Critically evaluate the progress you made. This will help when goals are set for next year. Are there areas where you can provide a greater challenge to your group? Are there skills to learn that might help you reach your goals? Were there goals that required more time to complete? There are quite a few ways to look at the progress of the group and prepare for next year. So spend some time on doing that.
Make sure to pack away all of your group's valuables in a secure location. for the summerEven if your house is open, you should still keep the chapter's property secured so that it doesn't get damaged or stolen over the summer. A lot can happen in three months and you don't want to start a new year with the added expense of replacing property you shouldn't have to replace.
Remember that all rules are in place for the summer. Campus policies don't stop over summer and the laws of the state don't take a vacation with you. That means that anything your group does—or your boarders if you have them—has to be compliant with the rules. Make sure everyone knows this.
If you take boarders, have them sign contracts. They can be particularly hard on your property. Make sure they understand their responsibilities. By the way, they can help clean and take care of the place. Most of you charge under market rents. They can work a little for the deal.
Speaking of property, if you have a yard—take care of it. Parents will drive by your house this summer. Let's not have their impression of your group be a bad one.
