WESTERN LEADERS ADVISORY BOARD
POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
Western Leaders assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all aspects of the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
transition program. During the week of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, they work to meet the needs of first-year and transfer students,
and their parents, by serving as resource persons; and strive to “Ignite the Spirit and Foster the Connection” for each new
student participating in the program.
Western Leaders are enthusiastic; they exude the Western Spirit, and engage others in the excitement of being
at WKU and attending M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan. Western Leaders are knowledgeable; they provide new students and their
parents with information regarding campus services, departments, and resources, and strive to get new students connected
to the University and the student body. Western Leaders are team players; they are frequently required to cooperate
and communicate to successfully manage challenging situations and make decisions, and support and appreciate one
another. Western Leaders are resourceful; they adapt to changing circumstances, think quickly on their feet, and are
always willing and ready to take on additional tasks and accept new responsibilities to ensure the success of M.A.S.T.E.R.
Plan.
The Western Leaders Advisory Board serves as the governing board for the Western Leaders organization, and is
comprised of six individuals who serve in the following positions: Socials Chair, Marketing Co-Chair, Big Red’s Blitz Chair,
and Membership Co-Chair. The Advisory Board Chairs/Co-Chairs are responsible for completing tasks in their functional
areas, making recommendations to the Board, and voting on decisions that will ultimately shape the Western Leaders
organization and the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan program for the next year’s incoming class. Advisory Board members have two years of
experience in the Western Leader position (preferred). While each Chair/Co-Chair is responsible for different aspects of the
M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan program, the Board functions as a whole. The Chair/Co-Chair positions complement each other and
work together to ensure the success of the program and positive experience of the new students attending M.A.S.T.E.R.
Plan.
Western Leaders Advisory Board
Position Descriptions
Socials Chair (one position)
The duties of the Social Co-Chair include:
 Planning and implementation of two organizational social events each semester including the
o Western Leaders Recognition Ceremony (fall),
o And the Western Leaders Reveal (spring).
 Attending the National Association of Campus Activities National Conference (February 14th-18th, 2015,
Minneapolis, MN).
 Providing recommendations of talent to invite to perform during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week (i.e. hypnotist, comedian,
musicians, etc.).
 Coordinating all social events during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week (i.e. booking talent, providing transportation to talent,
setting up and tearing down social events, collaborating with other campus departments in facilitating their social
events, assigning tasks and duties to volunteers assisting with the social events).
 Collaborating with the Marketing Co-Chairs to promote M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan social events to program registrants.
 Assist in the training of Western Leader Team Captains which may include attending a retreat.
 Co-facilitating Western Leaders Training.
 Acting as a resource and liaison to an assigned Western Leader Team Captain/Crew Member team.
 Attending the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) (March 27th-29th, 2015, Murray, KY).
Marketing Co-Chair (two positions)
The duties of the Marketing Co-Chairs include:
 Collaborating with the other Advisory Board members in promoting M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan and Western Leaders
initiatives.
 Regularly updating and maintaining M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan and Western Leaders social media sites, including:
o M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan and Big Red’s Blitz Facebook Pages, Instagram and Twitter accounts
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o Western Leaders Facebook Page and Twitter account.
Developing the Western Leaders marketing plan.
o Designing of Western Leaders logo, and all Western Leaders publications including organizational
recruitment and socials posters.
Collaborating with Housing and Residence Life’s Marketing Coordinator in the designing of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
publications including Big Red’s Blitz, program, and socials advertisements.
o Designing content for campus digital signage/Channel 12.
Representing M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan at all Admissions (Open Houses, Focus on Western, Preview Days) and Orientation
(ATP) events along with the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program Coordinator.
Documenting M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week sessions, special events, and socials (i.e. video diaries posted online).
Assist in the training of Western Leader Team Captains which may include attending a retreat.
Co-facilitating Western Leaders Training.
Acting as a resource and liaison to an assigned Western Leader Team Captain/Crew Member team.
Attending the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) (March 27th-29th, 2015, Murray, KY).
Big Red’s Blitz Chair (one position)
The duties of the Big Red’s Blitz Co-Chair include:
 Collaborating with the Marketing Co-Chair to promote Big Red’s Blitz to new students and parents, as well as
M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan registrants.
 Managing Big Red’s Blitz online volunteer registration process.
 Recruiting community partners (Project Sites):
o Contacting potential community partners,
o Providing program information,
o Facilitating Partnership Luncheon (spring), and
o Securing number of volunteers, supplies needed, and project descriptions.
 Maintaining all communication records with community partners (potential and registered).
 Communicating Big Red’s Blitz program details to registered volunteers.
 Attending planning meetings with the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program Coordinator
o Determining number of shuttles, lunches, waters needed, etc.
 Coordinating final registration, site selection, and all “day of” processes.
 Assist in the training of Western Leader Team Captains which may include attending a retreat.
 Co-facilitating Western Leaders Training.
 Acting as a resource and liaison to an assigned Western Leader Team Captain/Crew Member team.
 Attending the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) (March 27th-29th, 2015, Murray, KY).
Membership Co-Chair (two positions)
The duties of the Membership Co-Chairs include:
 Developing the Western Leaders recruitment and training theme.
 Collaborating with the Marketing Co-Chair in the design of the recruitment posters and publications, as well as in
the promotion of the recruitment campaign.
 Coordinating all Western Leaders recruitment functions (i.e. Interest Sessions, DUC tables, programs).
 Assisting the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program Coordinator in the revision of position descriptions, applications, and
evaluations (Group Process, Interview, and Performance).
 Processing all Western Leaders applications.
 Updating and maintaining organizational membership records (including mailing lists and listserves).
 Coordinating selection activities (i.e. Group Process Nights, interviews, etc.)
o Reserving meeting spaces,
o Determining activities and securing supplies,
o Issuing and collecting evaluations.
 Facilitating selection process (i.e. selecting applicants, forming teams)
o Issuing selection letters.
 Coordinating Western Leaders Team Captains Training (in spring) and Crew Members Training (in summer)
o Reserving meeting spaces,
o Communicating return dates and training expectations to Western Leaders over the summer,
o Creating Training schedule (determining sessions and assigning presenters).
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Acting as a resource and liaison to an assigned Western Leader Team Captain/Crew Member team.
Attending the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) (March 27th-29th, 2015, Murray, KY).
Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Western Leaders Advisory Board members include:
1. Minimum 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. (at time position is offered and throughout time of service).
2. Good judicial standing with the department of Housing and Residence Life and the University (Office of Judicial
Affairs).
3. Two years experience in the Western Leaders organization preferred.
4. Being reliable, responsible, confident, flexible, willing to help, and an effective communicator focused on building
teamwork and fostering working relationships.
5. Relates well with students, parents, family members, faculty, staff, and administrators.
6. Cannot be employed as a Resident Assistant or Community Advisor by Housing and Residence Life, due to
scheduling constraints during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week.
Additional Board Member Responsibilities
In addition to the six positions described above, three Advisory Board members will be expected to take on additional
responsibilities to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Board/organization. These additional responsibilities include:
Parliamentarian
The duties of the Parliamentarian include:
 Presiding over all Advisory Board meetings.
 Issuing determining vote in tie-break situations.
 Enforcing parliamentary procedure during meetings.
Secretary
The duties of the Secretary include:
 Preparing weekly meeting agendas.
 Maintaining accurate records (typed minutes) and sending them to all Board members on a weekly basis.
 Taking roll at each Advisory Board meeting.
 Sending out meeting notices to Board members (relocations, cancellations).
Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer include:
 Going before the Student Government Association Org Aid Committee and soliciting funding on a yearly basis.
 Coordinating all fundraising initiatives.
 Properly receiving and disbursing moneys.
 Keeping an accurate record of all money received and disbursed.
 Depositing all moneys received in the account of the organization in an approved bank as soon as possible.
 Keeping all receipts, bank statements, cancelled checks, etc., for auditing purposes.
*Current Advisory Board members shall have the opportunity to serve one additional term on the Board so
long as they take on one of the three additional responsibilities described above.
Role of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program Coordinator
The M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program Coordinator shall:
 Attend all Advisory Board meetings, retreats, and conferences.
 Assist in the planning of Advisory Board retreats.
 Conduct regular one-on-ones with Advisory Board members.
 Assists with the planning of conferences as needed.
 Acts as a liaison between the Advisory Board and Leadership Team.
 Advocates for upper administration involvement.
Voting/Board Operations
Each Board member will shall have one (1) vote excluding the Parliamentarian whose chief responsibility will be to enforce
parliamentary procedure during Board meetings. The Parliamentarian shall have one (1) vote only in tie-break voting
situations. There must be a voting quorum present, which shall be set as fifty percent plus one (four Board members not
including the Parliamentarian).
Benefits
The benefits for Western Leaders Advisory Board members include:
1. Opportunity to:
a. Enhance interpersonal, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills;
b. Increase knowledge of campus resources;
c. Connect with University faculty, staff, and administrators;
d. Increase self-confidence;
e. Serve incoming students, as well give back to the University.
2. Opportunity to serve as a role model while assisting in the orientation, transition, and retention of new students.
3. Western Leaders Advisory Board apparel and gear.
4. Moving into fall campus housing assignments early (one week before other upperclassmen students).
Time Commitment
The 2015 Western Leaders Advisory Board position begins TENTATIVELY on Monday, January 5th, 2015, and ends
when the new Advisory Board has been selected and transitioned into their new positions (January 2016). Please
note that the start date is subject to change. Listed below are dates and events Western Leaders are required to
attend. Specific dates are mentioned where applicable.
1. Western Leaders Advisory Board members will be expected to participate in winter (January) and summer
(May/June) transition and planning retreats.
2. Western Leaders Advisory Board members are expected to attend the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop
(March 27th-29th, 2015, Murray, KY).
3. Western Leaders Advisory Board members will tentatively return to campus to facilitate Western Leaders training
on Thursday, August 13th beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Noon).
4. Participation in training is mandatory.
5. Western Leaders Advisory Board members will be scheduled to work specific events during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan week
which will likely require arriving early, before the event is to take place, and staying late, after the event is over.
Breaks may be scheduled but can be rescheduled due to conflicts.
6. Western Leaders Advisory Board members are requested to clear their schedules and refrain from participating in
other activities August 13th-20th, due to the training and implementation schedule of the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan program.
Exceptions to this are RARE.
All Advisory Board members are required to serve four (4) office hours each week with the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Program
Coordinator, during which Board members’ one-on-ones will take place, in addition to attending weekly Advisory Board
meetings (1-2 hours each). Advisory Board positions require a non-negotiable five (5) hour minimum weekly time
commitment.
Application Timeline
Those interested in pursuing an Advisory Board position are required to submit an application and a 250 word essay on the
topic provided (see application) by close of business on Friday, October 17th by 4:30pm to the office of Housing and
Residence Life.
All applications will be processed; applicants will be required to schedule a 30-minute interview with the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
Program Coordinator and current members of the Advisory Board Monday, October 20th through Wednesday, October
22nd. Selected applicants will be notified by Friday, October 24th. A mandatory Advisory Board meeting will take place on
Wednesday, October 29th and the week of December 10th.