Be picky

Be clear

Be communicative

Be thankful

Delegation is a vital part of accomplishing club tasks in an efficient and productive manner. Delegating tasks also helps alleviate member burnout.

Effective delegation can open the door for members to take on new roles and responsibilities, help take the pressure off those members who always seem to do everything and lighten the workload of larger-scale projects that are the result of a growing club.

That being said, delegating can be easier said than done. There are some hurdles that need to be eliminated in order to delegate effectively, such as:

• Feeling the need to do everything yourself to have it done right

• Not having the time or desire to transfer the necessary knowledge and skills for someone else take over

• Being unable to find people you trust enough to delegate to

While these hurdles may be valid — and quite significant in some members eyes — they can be overcome. Here are some tips on effective delegation:

• Know that not all tasks can be delegated

• Be picky about who you choose to delegate to. It may take some time to find the right person for the task but, when you do, you know it will be completed properly.

• Whenever possible, give the person a whole task that they can see through from start to finish

• Make sure the person understands exactly what it is you want them to do. Instructions need to be clear and any documentation they need should be user-friendly

• In order to know things are moving in the right direction, track progress and get feedback on the delegated tasks. Make sure the lines of communication are open to get this feedback and so they can ask questions.

• Be sure to thank the person who completed the task

• Make delegation an ongoing practice. This will help by freeing up time for other aspects of member's lives, making everyone happier and more productive.

The more your club delegates, the easier it will be and the better everyone will become at it. Remember, you’re a team and should be working as such; one person should not be responsible for all of the projects.