XCEL

Center for Excellence in Student Leadership at Binghamton University

STUDENT LEADER HANDBOOK Part 1
Introduction Part 2
Individual Leadership Part 3
Organizational Leadership Part 4
Additional Resources Part 5
Worksheets and Forms Part 6
Appendix Back to
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Student Leader Handbook

This Student Leadership Handbook is designed for students in various stages of leadership development. Whether you are new to campus and just starting to get involved or if you are the president of an organization, you will find an abundance of useful information, resources, forms, and worksheets to meet your needs.

Why Leadership?

Being a student leader is quite a responsibility – one that can be both bewildering and exhilarating. The skills you use and develop now will stay with you long after you graduate from Binghamton University. Leadership skills are highly sought after by graduate schools and the business world –college graduates who have had a well-rounded undergraduate experience, including both academic and co-curricular involvement and leadership are very marketable. Leadership skills such as facilitating, communicating, listening, planning, organizing, supporting, initiating, managing, confronting, organizing, presenting, and many more are commonly used by student leaders and are useful tools to take with you. These transferable skills will serve you well as you move into the next phase in your life AFTER BU – Make the most of it!

How to use this handbook

The XCEL Center has created this Student Leadership Handbook just for you. The handbook is organized into 6 different parts, and each includes different topical chapters.

Part 1 includes a directory of offices and departments and how you can contact them, as well as a calendar of important dates.

• 1.2 Important Dates (PDF)
• 1.3 Help Directory (PDF)

Part 2 is focused on Individual Leadership. In this section, you will find information about getting involved, goal setting, time management, and other skills an individual needs to master in order to be an effective leader.

• 2.1 Thoughts on Leadership (PDF)
• 2.2 Self Motivation (PDF)
• 2.3 Individual Goal Setting (PDF)
• 2.4 Time Management (PDF)
• 2.5 Stress Management (PDF)
• 2.6 Communication Skills (PDF)
• 2.7 Getting Involved (PDF)

Part 3 is focused on Organizational Leadership. This section includes information, skills, and strategies to help make your student organization more effective.

• 3.1 Starting Strong (PDF)
• 3.2 Icebreakers & Team Building (PDF)
• 3.3 Working as a group (PDF)
• 3.4 Group Goal Setting (PDF)
• 3.5 Group Communication (PDF)
• 3.6 Conflict Resolution (PDF)
• 3.7 Delegation (PDF)
• 3.8 Roles in Organizations (PDF)
• 3.9 Group Dynamics (PDF)
• 3.10 Committees (PDF)
• 3.11 Membership Recruitment (PDF)
• 3.12 Member Retention & Motivation (PDF)
• 3.13 Meeting Management (PDF)
• 3.14 Budgets & Funding (PDF)
• 3.15 Program Planning (PDF)
• 3.16 Publicity & Marketing (PDF)
• 3.17 Leadership Transition (PDF)

Part 4 includes Additional Resources. From relevant campus policies, campus resources, to information on how to reserve facilities, this section will help you navigate the university.

• 4.1 Understanding Article 129a (PDF)
• 4.2 Relevant campus policies (PDF)
• 4.3 XCEL Center (PDF)
• 4.4 Late Night Student Group Program Support (PDF)
• 4.5 East Gym Reservation Information & Form (PDF)
• 4.6 Anderson Center Reservation Information & Form (PDF)
• 4.7 Banners, Posters, Signs (PDF)
• 4.8 Facilities Reservations (PDF)

Part 5 is filled with Worksheets and Forms that correspond with other skills and resources in the handbook. This section is designed for you to USE. All worksheets are availiable as PDF files.

• 5.1 Self Motivation Worksheet
• 5.2 Individual Goal Setting Worksheet
• 5.3 Time Management Worksheet
• 5.4 Stress Management Worksheet
• 5.5 Member Contact Form
• 5.6 Meeting Availability Form
• 5.7 Group Goal Setting Worksheet
• 5.8 Group Member Goals Worksheet
• 5.9 Recruitment Worksheet
• 5.10 Recruitment Profile
• 5.11 Recruitment Assessment
• 5.12 Meeting Notes Worksheet
• 5.13 Meeting Checklist
• 5.14 Program Planning Checklist
• 5.15 Program Evaluation Worksheet
• 5.16 Transition Checklist
• 5.17 Transition Meeting Agenda

Part 6 is the Appendix, which has additional information specifically for either Student Association Chartered Organizations, Fraternities and Sororities, or Residential/Hall Governments.

Next Steps

This handbook is designed as a quick reference guide, and although it includes lots of information on lots of different topics, it may not be able to answer all of your questions concerning leadership. This handbook is just a beginning. In order to develop as a truly effective leader, check out other resources available to you through the XCEL Center. In addition to being staffed by trained, skilled XCEL Leadership Consultants, the XCEL Center offers workshops, a leadership lending library, mock interviews, public speaking labs, recognition programs, and leadership conferences.