How Do You Choose Which Priorities SG Should Take On?

ASGA won’t tell you what issues, causes, or projects to champion (what to work on) for your students.

That choice is completely up to you and your officers, members, and advisors.

With that said, many SGs take on issues/projects/tasks that they have no hope of achieving.

Some SG leaders rush to make statements and pass resolutions on issues they have no authority on and no chance of changing. Often, they can’t even articulate their position, and they can’t prove that students want them to work on it. 

The problem: tackling issues you can’t win dilutes your SG’s effectiveness.

Taking on issues outside of your realm of influence (your SG powers and authority) often will harm your image. How?

When you lose, you appear powerless to fellow students, the campus media, and even your own members.

There are times that you may need to make a statement as a matter of principle. But don’t rush to judgement or be swayed by the current political climate or social media.

If you hope to truly represent your students and actually make changes/improvements on campus, ask these questions before you take on any issue as your TOP PRIORITY:

 

1. Why did you decide to take on this issue, cause, or project? Why is this so important?

 

2. How do you know students want you to work on this issue, cause, or project?

 

3. What proof do you have that this is a "hot" issue, cause, or need for your students?

 

4. Have you done any research about this issue, cause, or project? Have you seen if other SGs have ever achieved a similar goal?

 

5. Do you have a realistic chance of getting what you want on this cause, issue, or project?

 

6. Can you “win” this issue, cause, or project? Can you really get this done for your students?

 

7. Is winning on this cause, issue, or project likely to happen? Just how likely? 50% likely, 75% likely?

 

8. What exactly do you want to happen if you get what you want?

 

9. Are you doing this to boost your personal ego or get attention?

 

10. Are you doing this to “fit in," be part of the norm, be correct politically, or flow with the tide?

 

11. Are you doing this to boost your SG’s image more than help your students? If no, prove it.

 

12. Has this ever been done before on your campus?

 

13. Have you thought of the short-term and long-term consequences of supporting this issue, cause or project? Will this help or harm your short-term and long-term?

 

14. Is this going to build or harm your SG's relationship with administrators, faculty, and staff?

 

15. What will it cost to implement? (expected energy use, personnel needed, maintenance, repairs, equipment, facilities, security)

 

16. How long will it take to get this done? A semester, a year, two years?

 

17. What facilities will be needed? (new building, certain office or room space)?

 

18. What is the likelihood of getting sued as a result of supporting this cause, issue, project?

 

19. Does SG have authority to do this? Can you confirm in writing you have power to get this done?

 

20. What other administrators/staff have to sign-off to get this issue, project, or cause done?

 

21. What you "floated the idea" with key stake-holders? How likely are they to support your cause, issue, or project?