• Welcome Page
• Table of Contents
• Section 1 - Student Organizations at GVSU
  • Office of Student Life Mission and Values
  • Relationship Statement
    • Non-Discrimination Policy
    • Academic Standards
    • Hazing Policy
    • ADA
    • Student Code
  • Definition of Registered Student Organizations
  • Benefits and Privileges of Registered Student Organizations
  • Classification of Student Organizations
  • Student Organization Review Board
    • Purpose/Board Membership
    • Registered Student Organization Approval
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Misconduct Review Process
    • Misconduct Review Referral Form
• Section 2 - Registering and Renewing your RSO
  • Registration and Renewal
  • Requirements for Registration
    • Officer Requirements and Expectations
    • Organization Membership (roster)
    • Membership Information for Selective Organizations
    • Probate Shows and Introducing New Members
  • How to Start a New Student Organization
    • Establishing an Organization at Grand Valley State University
  • Advisors and Coaches
    • Definition and Selection
    • Agreement and Expectations
• Section 3 - Financial Management
  • Funding Boards
  • Managing Your Account
    • Tax Exempt Status
    • Tax Identification Number
    • Spending Your Organization's Money
  • Fundraising
    • Fundraising Policies and Forms
    • Food Sales
    • Gaming and Raffles
• Section 4 - Event Planning
  • Facilities
    • Kirkhof Center
    • Event Services
    • Reserving Space on Campus
    • Kirkhof Center Meeting and Event Use Policies
    • Off-campus Facility Rental
    • Bonfires
    • Dances and Music Events
    • Food Waivers and Catering
    • Key Policy
    • 5K Runs
    • Alumni House
  • Programming
    • Event Planning Checklist
    • Event Assessment Form
    • Cosponsorships
    • Professional Services Contract Policy
    • Guidelines for Working with Agents and Campus Performers/Speakers
    • Honorarium
    • Utilizing Movies or TV Shows for Campus Programs
    • Laker Late Night and Hot Spot
    • Scavenger Hunts
  • Promoting Your Organization
    • Use of University name and logo
    • Free Speech/Open Forum Areas
    • Petitions
    • Literature Distribution
    • University Promotions
    • Chalking Policy
    • Campus Posting Policy
    • Banners and Outdoor Signage Policies
    • T-shirts
    • Copy Center
    • PR Checklist
    • Publication Guidelines
• Contact Us

Registered Student Organization Handbook

• Print
• Site Index

Laker Leadership

Our Mission and Philosophy

The Laker Leadership Programs encourage students to grow as life long leaders of integrity who promote civic engagement and social change within their professions and communities.

Our philosophy of leadership is based on the idea that leadership can be learned and that even experienced leaders can continue to learn new concepts.  We also support the notion that leadership is a collaborative group process that is inclusive of all participants.  In addition, our leaders are educated on the importance of leadership within the greater community.

Guided by the Social Change Model

Social change refers to creating positive change within the community in some way benefits the community.  Social change leaders are those who work collaboratively to ensure that change occurs.  Some have described social change leaders as being focused on collective action, shared power, and having a passionate commitment to social justice and civic engagements.

The Social Change Model specifically focuses on strengthening:
Individual Values * Group Values * Societal Values

Resources at Your Fingertips!

LeLand D. Bond Leadership & Service Library

The Leadership & service Library is comprised of books, periodicals, videos, essays, and computer resources on a variety of leadership and service learning topics. These resources are made available to all students, staff, and faculty who are interested.

The Library is located in 1110 Kirkhof Center inside the Office of Student Life. You are welcome to drop in and visit anytime on weekdays from 8:00am to 6:00pm. For more information, check out the Laker Leadership Programs website at www.gvsu.edu/leadership.

Recognition as an Expression of Gratitude for all You Do!

Attend The Venderbush Leadership Luncheon

Kenneth R. Venderbush served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Grand Valley State University from 1969 to 1973.  Since 1999, Grand Valley has honored the memory of Venderbush through an ongoing series of leadership lunch and lecture. The series offers one lecture each semester by an outstanding community leader including Grand Valley alumni and past Venderbush award winners. In addition to the lecture, each program offers the opportunity to recognize outstanding student leaders who contribute regularly to our community with awards such as the "I Am Grand Valley" Award and the Immediate Impact Award, and recognition of new members of Omicron Delta kappa and Alpha Phi Omega.

Nominate a Member of Your Organization For The Immediate Impact Award

This award is given in an effort to recognize student leaders who have demonstrated an immediate commitment to their organizations and have shown willingness to bring energy that has impacted the organization at the start of each semester. The Office of Student Life cherishes the opportunity to hear about these students contributions, as well as recognize them for their efforts at the Venderbush Leadership Luncheon. Nomination forms available at www.gvsu.edu/studentlife.

Meet Other Leaders from GVSU & Throughout the State of Michigan

Omicron Delta Kappa Society

Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character.  Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society.  New members are selected each semester through an application process.  For more information, e-mail ODK@student.gvsu.edu. 

Leadership Summit Conference

Leadership Summit is a one-day conference that provides student leaders from all over the Midwest the opportunity to come together to discuss leadership topics with national and regional leaders while networking and sharing ideas. With topic areas such as Greek Life, Student Government, Cultural Programming, Campus-wide Programming, Service-Learning, and many others, Leadership Summit is one of the largest multi-focused gatherings in the state of Michigan.  Leadership Summit provides excellent networking and developmental opportunities for student leaders at any level.   Summit is coordinated by a planning board composed of undergraduate students.

Take the Journey of Leadership Discovery

Intermediate Leaders Institute

This opportunity is designed for those who are eager to improve their interpersonal leadership skills, team dynamics, networking, and communication abilities.  This one day experience will help you to become a leader in groups and in the community, while developing the characteristics needed to become more established member of the Grand Valley leadership community. 

At the completion of this program, students will be ready to take on advanced and possible mentor leadership roles in their campus community. 

Advanced Leaders Capstone

This program is for experienced leaders who desire to increase their impact as a civically engaged member of the GV community.  The interactive program teaches advanced skills, focusing on societal and life long leadership development.  Through this program, you will realize that your experiences at Grand Valley can be transferred far beyond the reaches of this campus, to affect your future work place or community.  There is a special emphasis on civic engagement and citizenship, which will allow these advanced leaders to adapt their skills for life after college.  Participants will also be asked to share the skills that they have gained, to influence other future GVSU student leaders to follow in their paths. 

Laker Leader Recognition

Grand Valley students interested in embarking on a leadership adventure and experiencing leadership from an individual, group and societal vantage point should work through all of the Laker Leadership Programs. By completing the Laker Leadership Programs, you will receive recognition as a Grand Valley established leader and it will highlight to potential future employers that you have a good foundation of leadership ability. Program graduates will be recognized at the annual Student Life Recognition Celebration in April and receive a certificate of participation and a leadership pin.

To sign up or receive more information about the Laker Leadership Programs, including a current schedule of sessions, check out the Laker Leadership Programs website at www.gvsu.edu/leadership.

Page last modified November 16, 2009