In order for your KESHER chavurah’s activities to occur, you need to enlist the help of others.  The structure of your KESHER chavurah is extremely important: Putting people to work efficiently ensures that everyone in the group feels empowered and enables you to avoid total exhaustion!  Here are some tips on how to build effective leadership for your KESHER chavurah:

1.  Decide which positions your group’s board should have.  Your decision will depend on the community's size, the variety and types of programs you hope to provide, and even the nature of the student leaders on your campus.  One example of a board structure you might consider is that of NFTY temple youth groups and regional offices.  That structure usually consists of a principal leader (in NFTY, a "president") who coordinates the activities of three other leaders, whose specialties are Religion and Culture, Programming, and Social Action ("vice presidents").  Using such a structure can help you to distribute responsibilities.  One school that follows this model is Brandeis University.  Its board consists of "coordinators" for worship services, social events, social action, publicity, and education, with one primary coordinator overseeing all activities.  Some schools use co-presidents or co-coordinators.  Consult The KESHER Directory for listings of other Reform chavurot and their board positions.  Consider holding an election or another method for appointing your group’s board in the spring.  That time frame allows for an entire summer of planning for the next academic year, which will prove to be particularly important if your group will be holding High Holy Day services.

2.  Consider your relationship to the Hillel or other Jewish student organizations on your campus.  Although your KESHER chavurah may be an independent entity, good relationships with other Jewish organizations can enhance your position on campus and can lead to opportunities for programmatic partnerships.  Select either a board member or an additional appointee to serve as a liaison to the other Jewish organizations on campus.  Show that you are willing to work together to build a strong Jewish community.

3.  Find an adviser: "Joshua ben Perachyah said, 'Get yourself a teacher and acquire a friend'" (Pirkei Avot 1:6). While it may seem counterintuitive for a student organization to seek advice from an outside source, the perspective of a member of the community who is Jewishly knowledgeable can prove to be very helpful.  That person can serve as a "consultant" to your organization. Undoubtedly there are members in your community who would be willing to help you.  Consider faculty members from your school or the rabbi or another member of a local congregation.  One bonus for the local congregation is that your KESHER chavurah can provide it with Hebrew school teachers!  And, of course, don't forget that the main KESHER office is always here to help you.